title: Cervicomedullary compression and occipitocervical instability.
abstract: A wide variety of pathologic processes can involve the cervicomedullary junction leading to spinal cord compression and mechanical instability. Effective surgical management involves accurate patient selection, appropriate operative planning, and meticulous surgical technique. Many different options for decompression exist, each associated with a unique set of risks and benefits. Spinal stabilization has been enhanced greatly through the evolution of posterior occipitocervical instrumentation constructs. Careful attention to detail may decrease the incidence of potential complications and provide the surgeon with an effective management strategy to maximize clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, The Neurological Institute, 710 West 168th Street, Room 504, New York, NY 10032, USA. mgk7@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Regis W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Haid
mesh_terms: D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*