[Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: early diagnosis and timing of operation].

OBJECTIVES

To study early clinical characteristics and diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and to search the timing of surgery.

METHOD: Seventy-four cases of early diagnosed cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were treated with anterior cervical decompression and autologous ilium graft fusion.

RESULT: The early stage of CSM was indistinct, and symptoms were mild. Neck pain, abnormality of motion and sensation of limbs, and hand and arm symptoms were shown frequently. Changes in neurological function could found during physical examination. Characteristic changes in imaging were helpful in early diagnosis of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis and surgery of CSM are important in improving the therapeutic results.