title: [The effect of cervical spine instability on sympathetic cervical spondylosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of cervical spine instability on sympathetic cervical spondylosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with cervical spondylosis showing sympathetic symptoms from 1992 to 2 000 were evaluated for cervical spine instability, immobilization of collar brace, MRI and surgical results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiologic evaluation cervical instability was observed radiologically in 7 of the 12 cases. Collar brace was obviously effective in 5 of the 12 cases and slightly effective in 7 cases. MRI showed abnormal signal for instability of the cervical spine in 7 cases. Surgery was markedly effective in 7 cases and moderately effective in 4 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cervical spine instability was an important factor for sympathetic cervical spondylosis, which can be improved effectively by surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopeadics, First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Chunde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xianyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhongtai
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*