Professor Vincenzo Denaro has been an active member of the Institute of Clinical Orthopedics and Traumatology of the University of Catania since 1986. It has been my pleasure, as Director, to be associated with Professor Denaro, first as a Sessional Consultant in diseases of the spine and finally, after his promotion to the permanent staff, as Associate Professor. Professor Denaro began his postgraduate program of spe cialization, and hence his career, in the Orthopedic Clinic of the University of Pavia under the tutorship of Professor Mario Boni. It was the latter who directed and guided his develop ment in studying the disease processes of the vertebral column. In his pursuit of knowledge, he undertook additional studies in foreign clinics, including the Wellesley Hospital at the Uni versity of Toronto with Professor 1. MacNab and Professor V. F ornasier. He spent a full year at the Orthopedic Clinic of the University of Paris under the guidance of Professor Roy Camille. He derived great benefit from the clinical experience gained there and became acquainted with advanced and spe cialized surgical techniques specific to his field of interest. More recently, since accepting his current appointment, he has been able to put into practice the expertise developed over 20 years of study and research. Not only does he have extensive personal clinical experience, but he very wisely undertook to maintain a thorough, complete, and accurate record of the experience gathered from his case load.

1 Introduction

Definition
References
2 Classification of Stenoses
Functional Stenoses
Organic Stenoses
References
3 Anatomy and Anatomical Pathology
The Cervical Vertebral Canal
The Nerve Root Canal
The Vascular Supply of the Cervical Spine
Dynamic Changes in the Cervical Vertebral Canal
Pathological Anatomy
4 Biomechanics of Spondylotic Cervical Myelopathy
Biomechanics of the Spinal Cord and Canal
A Qualitatitve Biomechanical Analysis of Stresses in the Spinal Cord
Discussion
References
5 Imaging
Traditional or Plain Radiography
Computed Tomography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Myelography
Arteriography
Scintigraphy
Conclusions
References
6 Clinical Aspects of Cervical Stenosis
Clinical Presentations
Clinical Features
Differential Diagnosis
7 Neurophysiological Studies in Cervical Stenosis
EMG and NCV Findings
Somatosensory Evoked Potentials
References
8 Surgical Approaches
Anterior Approaches
Anterolateral Approaches
Posterior Approach
Combined Approaches
References
9 Surgical Techniques
Anterior Decompression
Anterolateral and Anteromedial Combined Approaches in the Surgical
Posterior Decompression V. Denaro
Techniques of Posterior Cervical Stabilization
Expansive Open-Door Laminoplasty H. Hirabayashi and K. Satomi
Bone Grafts V. Denaro
References
10 Causes of Poor Results
Errors in Diagnosis
Incorrect Level of Surgery
Indications
Incomplete or Inadequate Surgery
Inadequate Postoperative Immobilization
11 Conclusion.