MATERIAL and METHODS: 1100 patients who have been operated in our department for cervical disc herniation between 2000 and 2009 were studied retrospectively. A total of 5 patients were found to have been operated for C2-C3 herniation in that period . The preferred procedure was anterior cervical discectomy with fusion via retropharyngeal approach.

RESULTS: The incidence of C2-C3 disc herniations was 0.45%. The mean patient age was 63 years (41- 82 years). Upper extremity paresis was the predominant neurological sign. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed central, large and hard disc herniations in 4 cases and accompanying cord signal changes in 4 cases. Successful anterior decompresion was performed in 5 patients. Correct fusion was achieved in 4 patients, and one patient died of an operation unrelated cause early in the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION: C2-C3 disc herniation is rare but may result with severe myelopathy. This kind of herniations tend to be central and large. The present study demonstrates that diagnosis and adequate anterior decompression in C2-C3 disc herniations may provide an excellent outcome. Keywords : C2-3 disc herniation, Upper cervial herniation, Anterior decompression, Cervical disc herniation