Case report: a new surgical approach to cervical hyperlordosis.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical hyperlordosis is a rare pediatric deformity leading to gaze and postural disturbances. The cornerstone of treatment consists of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) combined with positional traction.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a new surgical approach in a 7-year-old female patient suffering from stiff cervical hyperlordosis, desiring to correct forward head posture as well as gaze disturbance. The patient had a chief complaint of restricted range of motion of the neck for the past 4 years. Posture examination revealed several abnormalities, including apparent thoracic hump with shifting to right side, slight elevation of the right shoulder, with back pain. She also had difficulties performing her assignments. Radiological investigations revealed a 95˚ cervical lordosis and forward head posture (FHP) assessed by two separate measurements. There was no considerable response to conservative treatment, (which included 30 sessions of SMT combined with positional traction). Consequently, she underwent radical resection of cervical paraspinal muscles, followed by halo traction. She was discharged with a halo-vest. Specific instructions for home exercise were provided to the patient. Post-trial radiographs showed a reduction of cervical lordosis to 51˚ and a reduction in FHP of 73 mm. The symptoms were alleviated at the end of the treatment.

DISCUSSION: This new approach appeared to correct postural abnormalities, and had an obvious positive effect on the patient's chief complaint.