Publication details
Cross- sectional transverse area and hyperintensities on MRI in spondylotic cervical myelopathy
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2006 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | European Journal of Neurology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Neurology, neurosurgery, neurosciences |
| Keywords | spondylotic myelopathy; compressive myelopathy; cross-sectional area; MR hyperintensities |
| Description | Introduction: The spondylotic cervical spinal cord compression considered from the clinical point of view is a challenging finding for a confusing disproportion between the degree of compression and clinical picture, particularly a pronounced compression and normal somatic status, even with the presence of increased cervical spinal cord intensities. Still the critical degree of spinal cord compression needed to induce pathologic changes in clinical practice is unknown. The aim of this study is to find the threshold of critical compression and its relation to MRI increased signal intensities in the spinal cord. Study group and methods: Study group consisted of 243 patients, the mean age 53.9 +- 9.8 years, with spondylotic cervical spine compression. The cross-sectional area of the spinal cord at the level of maximal compression was measured, MRI hyperintensities were registered and compared to the clinical status that was quantified by the mJOA score. Results: Statistically significant difference was shown between patients with spinal cord area under 50 mm2 and a group of patients with spinal cord area over 70 mm2. There was found a statistically significant difference in m JOA score between patients with smaller (under 50mm2) or larger (over 70mm2) transverse spinal cord area within the group with hyperintensities (p=0.001) whereas within group of patients without hyperintensities, this difference was not observed (p=0.63). Conclusions: Critical degree of spinal cord compression needed to induce clinically pathologic changes is between 50-60 mm2. This relation is valid for the compression accompanied with hyperintensities on MR T2WI. |
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