Clinical experience of traumatic C7-T1 spondyloptosis

Abstract

Two unusual cases of traumatic spondyloptosis of the cervical spine at the C7-T1 level are reported. One patient was treated with a single-stage combined anterior-posterior and anterior operation to achieve realignment of the cervical spondyloptosis, decompression of the spinal cord and keep of a three-column stabilization of the spine. The other patient was treated with conservative management that consisted of a rigid neck collar and pain control for two months. The patients were managed successfully and both had good neurological outcomes. We present here a summary of the clinical presentations, the surgical technique and results, and a review of the relevant literature.