title: New approach to cervical flexion deformity in ankylosing spondylitis. Case report.
abstract: The treatment of cervical fixed flexion deformity in ankylosing spondylitis presents a challenging problem that is traditionally managed by a corrective cervicothoracic osteotomy. The authors report a new approach to this problem that involves performing a two-level osteotomy at the level of maximum spinal curvature, thereby achieving complete anatomical correction in a one-stage procedure. This 48-year-old woman with ankylosing spondylitis presented with a 30-year history of progressive neck deformity that left her unable to see ahead and caused her to experience difficulty eating, drinking, and breathing on exertion. On examination, she exhibited a 90 degrees fixed flexion deformity of the cervical spine, which was maximum at C-4; this was confirmed on imaging studies. A two-level osteotomy was performed at C3-4 and C4-5 around the area of maximum spinal curvature, and the deformity was corrected by extending the head on its axis of rotation through the uncovertebral joints. The spine was stabilized using a Ransford loop. An excellent anatomical position was achieved, as was complete correction of the deformity. A two-level midcervical osteotomy performed at the level of maximum spinal curvature in ankylosing spondylitis enables complete correction of severe fixed flexion deformity in a single procedure. Preservation of the uncovertebral joints allows smooth and safe correction of the deformity about their axis of rotation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom. saraheduff@aol.com
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Grundy
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008875:Middle Aged; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000639:trends; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed