Cervical spondylolysis: three cases and a review of the current literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To describe a rare case of cervical spondylolysis with an adjacent secondary dysplastic change, and to review the current literature regarding cervical spondylolysis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Three patients presented with minor trauma history and radiographical C6 level spondylolysis. METHODS: Cervical spines were analyzed with plain radiography, multidetector computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: In all 3 patients, plain radiographs revealed a bilateral cleft of the C6 articular mass. The patients presented with long-term minimal discomfort of the posterior neck. In 2 patients, a trauma event increased the pain and produced neurologic deficits. In addition, an adjacent dysplastic change was present on imaging studying in 2 of the patients, 1 of whom also presented with a cord signal change above the spondylolytic level. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and appropriate management of cases of spondylolysis are important. In addition, surgical plans for cervical spondylolysis should be considered if the adjacent levels are unstable or fragile.