Patient History

The patient complained of spinal pain, especially pronounced in the scapular region and lower back. Over the past 6 months, aching pain in the cervical spine developed. Finger numbness and frequent headaches were noted — typical signs of cervical nerve root compression.

Diagnosis

Compressive ventrolateral spinal canal stenosis C4–C6 — narrowing of the spinal canal across three segments
Compressive C6 root stenosis — nerve root compression with neurological symptoms
Osteochondrosis C3–C7 — degenerative vertebral changes across 4 segments
Facet joint arthrosis C4–C6 — intervertebral joint degeneration
Disc degeneration C4–C7 — multiple disc involvement
Cervical kyphosis — pathological curvature with sagittal imbalance
C4/C5 herniation — central left-sided, 1.9 mm
C5/C6 herniation — centrolateral, 5.8 mm right and 2.3 mm left

Clinical Examination

Clinical findings correlated with MRI data: signs of right C6 root compression and facet joint inflammation were identified. Palpation revealed tenderness at C5 and C6 levels. Right arm paresis, pain and limited mobility on right head rotation, and muscle hypertonia in the cervical and interscapular regions were noted.

Surgical Report — MIBRAR® Method

Microinvasive procedure performed at MIBRAR clinic (Munich) under Prof. Dr. med. Arsen Babayan. Outpatient, under local anesthesia, without general narcosis.

Probing with flexible catheter — navigation through the cervical spinal canal
Spinal canal dilation — mechanical widening of stenosis zones to restore lumen
Epidural C6 root decompression — elimination of nerve root compression
Disc and vertebral regeneration stimulation using CGF concentrate (blood plasma, young and late platelets with growth factors)
Treatment zones: spinal canal C4–C6, epidural space of C6 root, intervertebral discs C4/C5, C5/C6

MRI Scans Before and After MIBRAR®

Comparative MRI: left — before procedure (20.09.2016), right — after procedure (30.01.2017). On follow-up scan, C5/C6 disc herniation is no longer detected.

Cervical MRI: C4-C6 stenosis, C5/C6 herniation 5.8 mm — before and after MIBRAR®, female 38 years

Sagittal MRI: Left — compressive stenosis C4–C6, C5/C6 herniation 5.8 mm, spinal canal narrowing, kyphosis. Right — C5/C6 herniation not detected, canal lumen restored, neural decompression achieved.

Treatment Results

Immediately after

Complete resolution of all pain symptoms — neck pain, interscapular pain, finger numbness, and headaches resolved.

Follow-up MRI

On the 30.01.2017 scan — C5/C6 herniation not detected. Spinal canal lumen restored, no signs of C6 root compression.

Long-term

No symptom recurrence. The patient is not limited in daily or professional life, actively engages in sports. Laminectomy and fusion were not required.

Case Significance

Cervical stenosis is one of the most complex spinal pathologies. With spinal cord compression at C4–C6 level, there is a risk of myelopathy with upper and lower extremity dysfunction. Standard surgical treatment — anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or posterior laminectomy — carries risks of spinal cord damage, loss of segmental mobility, and prolonged rehabilitation.

In this case, MIBRAR® enabled spinal canal decompression and complete resorption of the C5/C6 herniation (5.8 mm) — without opening the spinal canal, without disc removal, without implant placement. The 38-year-old patient preserved full cervical mobility and returned to an active lifestyle immediately after the procedure.

This case is particularly valuable as it demonstrates MIBRAR® effectiveness in multiple cervical pathologies (stenosis, herniations at two levels, osteochondrosis, facet joint arthrosis, kyphosis) — a combination typically requiring multi-level surgery.