ABSTRACT
Cervical myelopathy can develop secondary to disk herniations, spondylotic changes, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Often these causes become pathological in the setting of a congenitally stenotic spinal canal. Because the natural history is typically one of stepwise progression (1), most authors recommend surgery for progressive or severe symptoms. In virtually all cases, decompression of the spinal cord is required to halt progression or induce recovery. Decompression can be performed anteriorly through a corpectomy and fusion approach, or posteriorly via laminoplasty or laminectomy approaches, with or without fusion.
