Developmental stenosis of the cervical spine in children.

Developmental stenosis of the cervical spine results in a reduction of the caliber of the cervical spinal canal that is greatest in the anteroposterior dimensions. This usually becomes symptomatic in adults when a myelopathy may result from compression of the cervical cord by small osteophytes or by hyperextension injury without fracture or dislocation. Although incidence and prevalence data are not available, this condition does occur in the pediatric population since we have encountered three adolescents with this condition. The diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis can be suggested when narrowing of the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal on a lateral cervical radiograph is identified. Subsequent corroboration can be obtained with myelography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging.