title: Posterior cervical lateral mass screw fixation and fusion to treat pseudarthrosis of anterior cervical fusion.
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective clinical cohort study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of posterior lateral mass screw/rod fixation and fusion for the treatment of symptomatic pseudarthrosis of anterior cervical fusion.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Both anterior revision and posterior repair of cervical pseudarthrosis have been reported. To date, there is still debate in the literature as how the patient with symptomatic cervical pseudarthrosis should be addressed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight consecutive patients with symptomatic anterior cervical pseudarthrosis were treated with posterior lateral mass screw/rod fixation and fusion. The average follow-up was 28 months (24 to 60 mo) and patients were assessed with clinical examination, questionnaires, flexion-extension lateral radiographs, and/or computed tomography scans. The clinical results were classified as excellent, good, fair, or poor, according to Zdeblick criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients achieved a solid radiographic fusion at the final follow-up. The result was excellent in 10 patients, good in 22, fair in 6, and poor in none.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with symptomatic cervical pseudarthrosis that develops after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion may be managed successfully with posterior lateral mass screw fixation and fusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Avraam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ploumis
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schwender
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Garvey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult