Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a global health care challenge. The increased susceptibility to coinfection in the presence of human immunodeficiency virus infection and the emergence of drug-resistant strains have led to a higher burden of…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Infections of the cervical spine account for less than 10% of all spine infections, but they are the source of 27% of all neurologic deficits associated with an infectious process. The classification of cervical infections includes…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis The spine is the most common site of metastatic disease involving bone. The cervical spine is less often affected by metastatic disease, yet metastasis still occurs with a greater frequency per year than do primary bone…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Most lesions in the cervical spine are metastatic; primary bone tumors are rare. The goals of treatment vary from palliation to cure. It is vital to recognize primary tumors before an operation, to achieve the best…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Primary tumors of the spinal cord comprise 5% to 15% of all central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They can be divided into two main categories based on anatomic origin: intradural extramedullary or intramedullary spinal cord tumors.…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Cervical cord neurapraxia and stingers can create significant angst in players, coaches, families, and spectators. Avoidance of permanent injury is tantamount. Effective postinjury management of the injured athlete by medical personnel either on the field or…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Vertebral artery injuries (VAIs) are becoming increasingly recognized as more screening protocols are being used. Angiography is the gold standard, but many centers are using computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) as the…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious worldwide health problem, often resulting in significant morbidity and permanent neurologic deficits. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale can be used to classify the extent of the…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Injuries to the subaxial cervical spine comprise the majority of cervical spine injuries annually. Since 2000, novel classification systems have been developed to provide a uniform method of characterizing subaxial cervical spine injuries and to help…
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis The occipitocervical junction consists of structurally important osseous and ligamentous complexes that stabilize the skull base to the spine. Compromise of either the complex bony or ligamentous complex places the integrity of the occipitocervical junction at…