Atrophy of the nuchal muscle and change in cervical curvature after expansive open-door laminoplasty.
We analyzed computed tomography (CT) images and plain X-ray films of 53 patients who had undergone expansive open-door laminoplasty, in a 3-year study. The relationship between the postoperative changes in the nuchal muscles and those in the cervical curvature was investigated. On postoperative CT images, the cross-sectional area of all nuchal muscles was reduced to approximately 80% of its preoperative size. This atrophic change was especially intense in the multifidus muscle and the semispinalis cervicis muscle. Postoperative cross-sectional area of the deep nuchal muscles was reduced approximately 30% from its preoperative size. No significant correlation was found between the all cross-sectional area of the nuchal muscles and the cervical curvature. However, a weak correlation was found between the deep nuchal muscles area and the curve index (correlation coefficient 0.29).
Fujimura
Y
Y
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
Nishi
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed