Posterior Cervical Arthrodesis and Stabilization With a Lateral Mass Plate

Abstract

Lateral mass plating was associated with no vertebral artery or spinal cord injury. There was a 1.8%-per-screw risk of radiculopathy, which corresponds with published cadaveric studies. Radicular symptoms improved with screw removal in each case. The advantages of segmental fixation achieved with lateral mass plates and screws must be weighed against the risk of radiculopathy.