Surgical Treatment Outcomes of Anterior-Only Correction and Reconstruction for Severe Cervical Kyphotic Deformity with Neurofibromatosis-1: A Retrospective Study with a 5-Year Follow-Up

Objectives: Currently, anterior-only (AO), posterior-only, and combined anterior-posterior spinal fusions are common strategies for treating cervical kyphosis in patients with neurofibromatosis-1 NF-1. Nevertheless, the choice of surgical strategy remains a topic of controversy. The aim of our study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of anterior decompression and spinal reconstruction for the treatment of cervical kyphosis in patients with NF-1.

Methods: Twelve patients with NF-1-associated cervical kyphotic deformity were reviewed retrospectively between January 2010 and April 2020. All patients underwent AO correction and reconstruction. The X-ray was followed up in all these patients to assess the preoperative and postoperative local kyphosis angle (LKA), the global kyphosis angle (GKA), the sagittal vertical axis, and the T1 slope. The visual analog scale score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and neck disability index (NDI) score were used to evaluate the improvement inclinical symptoms. The results of the difference in improvement from preoperatively to the final follow-up assessment were assessed using a paired t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results: The LKA and GKA decreased from the preoperative average of 64.42 (range, 38-86) and 35.50 (range, 10-81) to an average of 16.83 (range, -2 to 46) and 4.25 (range, -22 to 39) postoperatively, respectively. The average correction rates of the LKA and GKA were 76.11% and 111.97%, respectively. All patients had achieved satisfactory relief of neurological symptoms (p < 0.01). JOA scores were improved from 10.42 (range, 8-16) preoperatively to 15.25 (range, 11-18) at final follow-up (p < 0.01). NDI scores were decreased from an average of 23.25 (range, 16-34) preoperatively to an average of 7.08 (range, 3-15) at the final follow-up (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Anterior-only correction and reconstruction is a safe and effective method for correcting cervical kyphosis in NF-1 patients. In fixed cervical kyphosis cases, preoperative skull traction should also be considered.