title: Cervical cages placed bilaterally in the facet joints from a posterior approach significantly increase foraminal area.
abstract: Foraminal stenosis is a common cause of cervical radiculopathy. Posterior cervical cages can indirectly increase foraminal area and decompress the nerve root. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of bilateral posterior cervical cages on the surface area and shape of the neural foramen.
  
  
  
  Radiographic analysis was performed on 43 subjects enrolled in a prospective, multi-center study. CT scans were obtained at baseline and 6- and 12-months after cervical fusion using bilateral posterior cervical cages. The following measurements were performed on CT scan: foraminal area (A), theoretical area (TA), height (H), superior diagonal (DSI), inferior diagonal (DIS), and inferior diagonal without implant (DISI). Comparisons were performed using R-ANOVA with a significance of α < 0.05.
  
  
  
  Foraminal area, height, TA and DISI were significantly greater following placement of the implant. The mean (SD) A increased from 4.01 (1.09) mm(2) before surgery to 4.24 (1.00) mm(2) at 6 months, and 4.18 (1.05) mm(2) at 12 months after surgery (p < 0.0001). Foraminal height (H) increased from mean (SD) 9.20 (1.08) mm at baseline to 9.65 (1.06) mm and 9.55 (1.14) mm at 6- and 12-months post-operatively, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean DIS did not change significantly. There was a significant decrease in DSI: 6.18 (1.59) mm pre-operatively, 5.95 (1.47) mm and 5.73 (1.46) mm at 6- and 12-months (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  
  Implantation of bilateral posterior cervical cages can increase foraminal area and may indirectly decompress the nerve roots. Correlation between increase in foraminal area and clinical outcomes needs further investigation.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 South Wolcott Ave, Room E-270, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
authors: Kris
authors: K
authors: Siemionow
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 South Wolcott Ave, Room E-270, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. mdpjanusz@gmail.com.|Department of Spine Disorders and Pediatric Orthopedics, University of Medical Sciences, ul. 28 Czerwca 1956r. 135, 61-545, Poznan, Poland. mdpjanusz@gmail.com.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Janusz
authors: Department of Spine Disorders and Pediatric Orthopedics, University of Medical Sciences, ul. 28 Czerwca 1956r. 135, 61-545, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Pawel
authors: P
authors: Glowka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Cervical radiculopathy; Cervical spondylopathy; DTRAX; Foraminal area; Posterior cervical cage