ADR For Congenital Central Canal Stenosis?

[biffnoble]

Opinions:

What beneficial effect if any, is ADR (in this case for cervical spine) likely to have for decompressing cases of congenital central cervical canal stenosis? My understanding of the implications of congenital central canal stenosis is poor. I understand the benefits of removing osteophytic build-up (hard or soft "disc disease") from the periphery of the central canal or nerve foramen, but if there is also buildup within the central canal, essentially strangling the cord, which is "unreachable" externally, what if any benefit would treatment w/ADR have? Otherwise what would the next �optimal� treatment be?

Thanks.

[mmglobal]

It will be interesting to hear what the docs have to say about this.

In the lumbar spine, it is possible to do decompression surgery (undercutting laminectomy... shave underside of lamina to resolve central canal stenosis)... and do ADR. That's 2 separate surgeries.

Mark

[Fortitudine]

Interesting Question

My NS here says that's my problem - central stenosis/cord compression and wants to do laminectomy and fusion; yet Dr. Fenk-Meyer thinks ADR will do the trick.I'm going with Dr. F-M.
Fortitudine

[biffnoble]

Hi All:

These are very promising responses.
Mark: I'm a little unclear about the reference to laminectomy in your response. My understanding of laminectomy is that it is an operation that removes the lamina to provide cord space. My take on the gist of what you're saying is: during the ADR surgery the surgeon is able to remove bone etc. from the lamina which will provide central canal space, not remove the lamina. Is my understanding correct?

I'm curious. If the surgeon can shave bone off of the lamina, why can't they also remove bone from the posterior portion of the vertebral body providing space in the front portion of the central canal?

Thanks for the responses!