Case reports are presented of two patients who made satisfactory recoveries from acute central cervical spinal-cord injuries.
One and six years later, respectively, chronic anterior cervical-cord injury or compression syndromes developed. After decompression of the cervical spinal cord and nerve roots by laminectomy and chiseling away of central bone ridges and spurs each patient had significant improvement in his clinical condition.
The value of thinking in terms of neurological syndromes is indicated, for it aids the surgeon in selecting the proper type of therapeutic approach.