Ruptured cervical disc after spinal manipulation therapy: report of two cases.
METHODS
Case reports of ruptured cervical disc after spinal manipulation therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To present the rare cases of ruptured cervical disc temporally related to spinal manipulation therapy.


BACKGROUND
The complication of ruptured cervical disc was rare in the literature.


METHODS
Two patients developed cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy after spinal manipulation therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging showed herniated cervical discs at C4-C5 and C6-C7, respectively.


RESULTS
Anterior cervical discectomy was performed, and ruptured disc fragments were removed in these two patients. Both patients had good neurologic recovery after operation, and no neurologic deficits were noted after 15 and 6 months of follow-up, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience of these two patients reminds us that cervical disc rupture can occur during a course of cervical spinal manipulation. Full neurologic recovery is achievable if accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are done.
Tseng
Sheng-Hong
SH
Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. tsh@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Lin
Swei-Ming
SM
Chen
Yun
Y
Wang
Chih-Hsien
CH
D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009333:Neck; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology