Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy secondary to athetoid cerebral palsy

Abstract

Radiculopathy or myelopathy often occurs during adult life in patients who have athetosis. Herniation of an intervertebral disc, spondylosis, malalignment or instability of the cervical spine, or a combination of these lesions, can develop because of the athetoid hyperactivity. We reviewed the cases of ten patients who had cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy, or both, secondary to athetosis and who were surgically treated between the ages of thirty and fifty-eight years. The surgery consisted of discectomy, removal of osteophytes, and anterior interbody fusion. When several segments were involved, an extensive subtotal resection of the vertebrae and discs, followed by strut bone-grafting, was done.