The present communication concerns a study of twenty surgically treated cases of spondylosis of the cervical spine with compression of the cord or nerve roots, or of both. Five illustrative cases are described.
The mechanism of producing "differential" compression of either the sensory or motor nerve roots at the intervertebral foramina is discussed.
The types of surgical procedures used in these twenty cases are described, including laminectomy, foraminotomy for decompression of the nerve roots, section of the dentate ligaments, and separation or excision of the arachnoid adhesions, if present.
Special precautions during anesthesia and surgery are emphasized.