Cervical Dorsal Rami Compression Syndrome

Objective: To study the mechanism,diagnosis and treatment of the cervical dorsal rami compression syndrome.Methods:Anatomical study was done on 34 sides of 17 adult embalmed cadavers.C 1～C 8 dorsal rami were carefully dissected and observed.Detailed observation and analysis were conducted in 24 cases with cervical dorsal rami compression.Results:(1)The cervical dorsal rami arise from the spinal nerves in the intervertebral foramen and then curve dorsally through the osseofibrous canals with the decussating fibers of muscle group of nape attaching to the zygapophyseal joints,the superio inferior zygapophyseal joints and the medial vertebral laminae.The articular branches,muscular branches,cutaneous branches and communicating branches pass through the posterior muscles and its tendinous decussating fibers.(2) Conservative treatment led to short term alleviation of the symptoms in clinic.The results were far from satisfaction.Resection of the tendinous fibers compressing nerve directly and cervical dorsal rami decompression were undertaken in 7 cases.There were no recurrence after more than one half year's follow up.Conclusions:The etiology of cervical dorsal rami compression syndrome lies in the compression of the cervical dorsal rami by the tendinous decussating fibers of the posterior muscles of neck.The cervical dorsal rami decompression possible is an effect way to treat cases of cervical dorsal rami compression that had no alleviation of the symptoms with conservative treatment.