Lateral cervical facetectomy. The surgical pathology of radicular brachialgia.

In 113 patients with radicular brachialgia and neuropathy without spinal cord affection surgical treatment consisted in facetectomy and exposure of the extrathecal part of the cervical root from the axilla to the lateral border of the root canal. In 27 patients disc herniation, and in 43 uncovertebral exostosis, was detected. In 59 patients a thick, fibrous periradicular cuff tightened the exposed root. The surgical pathology of radicular brachialgia is discussed. A total of 70 patients recovered.