title: Radiologic Changes of Operated and Adjacent Segments after Anterior Cervical Microforaminotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anterior cervical microforaminotomy (ACMF) is a motion-preserving surgical procedure. The purpose of this study is to assess radiologic changes of operated and adjacent segments after ACMF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients who underwent ACMF between 1998 and 2008. From X-ray film-based changes, disc height and sagittal range of motion (ROM) of operated and adjacent segments were compared at preoperative and last follow-up periods. Radiological degeneration of both segments was analyzed as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 48.2 months. There were 78 operated, 52 upper adjacent, and 38 lower adjacent segments. There were statistically significant differences in the ROM and disc height of operated segment between preoperative and last follow-up periods. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the ROM and disc height of adjacent segment between both periods. Radiological degenerative changes of operated segments were observed in 30%. That of adjacent segments was observed in 11 and 11% at upper and lower segments, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After mean 4-year follow-up periods, there were degenerative changes of operated segments. However, ACMF preserved motion and prevented degenerative changes of adjacent segments.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Jang Ho
authors: JH
authors: Ahn
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Moon Sun
authors: MS
authors: Park
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Seong Min
authors: SM
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Seung Young
authors: SY
authors: Chung
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Do Sung
authors: DS
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Ki Seok
authors: KS
authors: Park
keywords: Adjacent segment disease; Anterior foraminotomy; Cervical radiculopathy; Disc height; Range of motion