Cervical myelopathy due to developmental stenosis of the cervical spinal canal

Cervical myelopathy mainly due to developmental stenosis of the cervical spinal canal without apparent spondylotic changes is now accepted as a clinical entity. Twenty-four patients with this disorder have been treated surgically in our clinic since 1957.There were 15 males and 9 females, complained preoperatively of dominant motor disturbance such as clumsiness of minute finger movements or gait disturbance, but less radicular pain. The extent of the narrow canal is 4 to 5 vertebra. Myelogram in A-P view showed characteristically a central filling defect of the contrast medium with broad lateral gutter, presuming swelling or flattenning of the cord at the level of the block.Methods of operation taken for the patients were subtotal resection of the vertebral bodies or osteoplastic enlargement of the canal.Good results were obtained.