Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Concept Review and Clinical Approach.

Clin Spine Surg

Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX.

Published: February 2024

Study Design: Narrative review.

Objective: To provide an overview of the evaluation and diagnosis of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Summary Of Background Data: DCM describes several etiologies of degenerative, nontraumatic spinal cord impairment. Early diagnosis and intervention can decrease neurological decline.

Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted.

Results: The incidence and prevalence of DCM are increasing worldwide. Asymptomatic spinal cord compression can progress to cervical myelopathy. Static and dynamic factors contribute to spinal cord compression. Patients frequently present with decreased manual dexterity, gait instability, and neck pain. On physical exam, patients frequently present with upper motor neuron signs, a Lhermitte sign, a failed Romberg test, global proprioceptive dysfunction, and decreased pain sensation. Anatomic variation may complicate physical exam interpretation. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale and Nurick Classification, based on functional impairment, provide diagnostic utility. Magnetic Resonance Imaging imaging is useful in narrowing the differential diagnosis, evaluating the severity of neurological impairment, and predicting disease progression.

Conclusions: Understanding the pathophysiology of DCM and the diagnostic utility of the signs and symptoms of DCM is critical. The decision for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), laminoplasty, or combined ACDF and posterior cervical fusion is individualized for each patient.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/BSD.0000000000001463DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cervical myelopathy
12
spinal cord
12
degenerative cervical
8
cord compression
8
patients frequently
8
physical exam
8
diagnostic utility
8
myelopathy concept
4
concept review
4
review clinical
4

Similar Publications

Introduction: Surgeries in the occipitocervical and upper cervical region are always quite challenging and need adequate surgical experience and expertise. Especially in cases, where both anterior and posterior surgical access is required, complication rates could be significantly high. The transoral approach for the ventral pathologies of the upper cervical region has been previously described using the conventional open technique where post-operative morbidity is a concern.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: This study presents a novel odontoid parameter, the odontoid incidence (OI), to examine the correlation between OI on preoperative cervical sagittal radiographs and 2-year clinical outcomes following short-segment anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 87 patients with CSM who underwent ACDF surgery from January 2018 to December 2023 was conducted. The patients were categorized into a larger OI group (44 patients, OI > 12.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

BACKGROUND Chiari malformation type 1 occurs when the cerebellar tonsils are pushed into the spinal canal, which can result in syringomyelia. This retrospective study from a single center evaluated outcomes in 89 patients with Chiari malformation type-I (CM-I) and syringomyelia treated with an arachnoid-preserving technique between 2016 and 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted at a tertiary referral center, involving 88 adult patients and 1 adolescent patient aged 14 to 61 years, with diagnosis by MRI and treated for CM-I with syringomyelia between 2016 and 2023, using the arachnoid-preserving technique.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Clinical characteristics associated with cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs.

J Vet Intern Med

January 2025

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.

Background: Clinical characteristics of cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) in dogs compared to other causes of cervical myelopathy are not well described.

Hypothesis/objectives: To evaluate for clinical characteristics and mechanical ventilation likelihood associated with HNPE compared to other causes of cervical myelopathy.

Animals: Three hundred seventy-seven client-owned dogs from 2010 to 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

17β-estradiol promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by regulating mitophagy through ARC.

J Orthop Surg Res

January 2025

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Head & Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.

The study aims to elucidate the mechanism through which 17β-estradiol facilitates osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). In our study, lentiviral transfection was employed to establish apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC) knockdown or overexpression in BMSCs. The impact of 17β-estradiol on ARC expression was assessed using western blot, RT-PCR and immunofluorescence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!