Anterior decompression and stabilization with methylmethacrylate and a bone bolt for treatment of pathologic fractures of the cervical spine. A report of two cases.

A 48-year-old woman and a 61-year-old man were treated for pathologic fractures of the cervical vertebral bodies that caused neurologic defect. In both patients an anterior decompression was performed with the removal of the diseased vertebrae. Immediate stability was obtained with a bone bolt imbedded in methylmethyacrylate. Both patients are functioning satisfactorily without any external support of the cervical spine four years and one and one-half years after their respective operations. This method is applicable only in carefully selected cases.