Cervical myeloradiculopathy caused by arthrotic hypertrophy of the posterior facets and laminae

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Abstract
Five patients with typical cervical myeloradiculopathy caused by focal cervical spinal stenosis are presented. Dorsal intrusions into the spinal canal by hypertrophied apophyseal joints and thickened laminae resulted in cord and nerve root compression. Minor spondylotic changes were present in the floor of the spinal canal. Laminar decompression with foraminotomy and facetectomy relieved the patients of their symptoms. An anterior approach should not be considered in the management of this disorder. The findings of severe apophyseal arthrosis with lesser degrees of associated spondylosis are similar to those described in anatomical studies by others. While uncommon, myelopathy caused by dorsal compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots deserves specific mention so that therapy can be directed to the proper qudrants of the spinal canal wherein the significant pathology is located.