Nejvíce citovaný článek - PubMed ID 18193301
Presymptomatic spondylotic cervical myelopathy: an updated predictive model
Study DesignSystematic review.ObjectivesThe pre-symptomatic state of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM), wherein degenerative changes and spinal cord compression are seen without clinical findings, is poorly understood and inconsistently categorised. Clear identification may elucidate the temporality of DCM development. Therefore, a systematic assessment was undertaken of current terminology for pre-DCM states, with the objective of standardising definitions and informing an AO Spine expert position statement.MethodsMedline and Embase were searched for all studies on asymptomatic spinal compression or clinical findings preceding DCM, returning 3585 studies. After screening, 96 studies were included in the final analysis. The terminology used for pre-DCM states and their definitions were extracted, along with their frequencies or speciality/country of author in the literature.ResultsMultiple terms were used to represent pre-DCM stages, including "asymptomatic" (86 studies), "non-myelopathic" (26 studies), "without myelopathy" (15 studies), "pre-symptomatic" (9 studies) and "sub-clinical" (7 studies). "asymptomatic" was associated with the greatest inconsistency. Some defined this as patients with radiological signs of spinal degeneration with/without spinal cord compression but no clinical signs of myelopathy, whereas others used the term synonymously with healthy controls. This inconsistency is particularly challenging in clinical studies in which DCM patients are compared to those with pre-DCM states and/or healthy volunteers.ConclusionThere is substantial inconsistency in the terms used to describe pre-DCM states. There is no clear relationship between the terms used and the country or speciality of the main author. Standardised definitions for these disease states should be agreed and used in future studies.
Study DesignSingle-centre controlled pilot study.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of prophylactic surgery and to review the biases of a therapeutic trial in asymptomatic degenerative cervical cord compression (ADCC) patients.MethodsPatients with ADCC and at least 1 predictor of progression to symptomatic degenerative cervical cord myelopathy (DCM) were offered either prophylactic surgery or standard structured rehabilitation. Recruited patients were clinically followed to detect the development of symptomatic DCM.ResultsForty-one patients treated surgically and 68 patients treated non-surgically completed the minimum 36 months' follow-up; 3 recruited patients were lost from evaluation. The surgical group had a higher Neck Disability Index score and more severe MRI compression. A matched subgroup of 41 non-surgical patients was created to reduce potential bias. During the follow-up period we observed progression to symptomatic DCM in 1 surgical case (2.4%) compared to 9 patients in the non-surgical group (13.2%, P = 0.054) and 7 cases in the matched non-surgical group (17.1%, P = 0.029). We observed non-serious early postoperative complications in 4 patients, which resolved spontaneously or after surgical revision. In 9 patients with progression to DCM, the myelopathy was mild with mJOA scale 15-17. One patient in the non-surgical group and 1 patient in the surgical group who progressed to DCM underwent surgery with a good outcome.ConclusionsProphylactic surgery led to a significant decrease in proportion of ADCC patients with progression to DCM. The results justify the organisation of a large randomized multicentre trial that may demonstrate the benefit of prophylactic surgery in ADCC patients.
- Klíčová slova
- asymptomatic degenerative cervical cord compression, degenerative cervical myelopathy, prophylactic surgery,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) represents the final consequence of a series of degenerative changes in the cervical spine, resulting in cervical spinal canal stenosis and mechanical stress on the cervical spinal cord. This process leads to subsequent pathophysiological processes in the spinal cord tissues. The primary mechanism of injury is degenerative compression of the cervical spinal cord, detectable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), serving as a hallmark for diagnosing DCM. However, the relative resilience of the cervical spinal cord to mechanical compression leads to clinical-radiological discordance, i.e., some individuals may exhibit MRI findings of DCC without the clinical signs and symptoms of myelopathy. This degenerative compression of the cervical spinal cord without clinical signs of myelopathy, potentially serving as a precursor to the development of DCM, remains a somewhat controversial topic. In this review article, we elaborate on and provide commentary on the terminology, epidemiology, natural course, diagnosis, predictive value, risks, and practical management of this condition-all of which are subjects of ongoing debate.
Degenerative spinal cord compression is a frequent pathological condition with increasing prevalence throughout aging. Initial non-myelopathic cervical spinal cord compression (NMDC) might progress over time into potentially irreversible degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). While quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques demonstrated the ability to depict intrinsic tissue properties, longitudinal in-vivo biomarkers to identify NMDC patients who will eventually develop DCM are still missing. Thus, we aim to review the ability of qMRI techniques (such as diffusion MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetization transfer (MT) imaging, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)) to serve as prognostic markers in NMDC. While DTI in NMDC patients consistently detected lower fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity at compressed levels, caused by demyelination and axonal injury, MT and 1H-MRS, along with advanced and tract-specific diffusion MRI, recently revealed microstructural alterations, also rostrally pointing to Wallerian degeneration. Recent studies also disclosed a significant relationship between microstructural damage and functional deficits, as assessed by qMRI and electrophysiology, respectively. Thus, tract-specific qMRI, in combination with electrophysiology, critically extends our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of degenerative spinal cord compression and may provide predictive markers of DCM development for accurate patient management. However, the prognostic value must be validated in longitudinal studies.
BACKGROUND: Degenerative cervical spinal cord compression is becoming increasingly prevalent, yet the MRI criteria that define compression are vague, and vary between studies. This contribution addresses the detection of compression by means of the Spinal Cord Toolbox (SCT) and assesses the variability of the morphometric parameters extracted with it. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study. Two types of MRI examination, 3 and 1.5 T, were performed on 66 healthy controls and 118 participants with cervical spinal cord compression. Morphometric parameters from 3T MRI obtained by Spinal Cord Toolbox (cross-sectional area, solidity, compressive ratio, torsion) were combined in multivariate logistic regression models with the outcome (binary dependent variable) being the presence of compression determined by two radiologists. Inter-trial (between 3 and 1.5 T) and inter-rater (three expert raters and SCT) variability of morphometric parameters were assessed in a subset of 35 controls and 30 participants with compression. RESULTS: The logistic model combining compressive ratio, cross-sectional area, solidity, torsion and one binary indicator, whether or not the compression was set at level C6/7, demonstrated outstanding compression detection (area under curve =0.947). The single best cut-off for predicted probability calculated using a multiple regression equation was 0.451, with a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 90.2%. The inter-trial variability was better in Spinal Cord Toolbox (intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.858 for compressive ratio and 0.735 for cross-sectional area) compared to expert raters (mean coefficient for three expert raters was 0.722 for compressive ratio and 0.486 for cross-sectional area). The analysis of inter-rater variability demonstrated general agreement between SCT and three expert raters, as the correlations between SCT and raters were generally similar to those of the raters between one another. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates successful semi-automated compression detection based on four parameters. The inter-trial variability of parameters established through two MRI examinations was conclusively better for Spinal Cord Toolbox compared with that of three experts' manual ratings.
- Klíčová slova
- Spinal cord compression (SCC), cervical spinal cord, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), myelopathy, reproducibility,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
STUDY DESIGN: Narrative review. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the current understanding of the natural history of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). METHODS: Literature review summarizing current evidence pertaining to the natural history and risk factors of DCM. RESULTS: DCM is a common condition in which progressive arthritic disease of the cervical spine leads to spinal cord compression resulting in a constellation of neurological symptoms, in particular upper extremity dysfunction and gait impairment. Anatomical factors including cord-canal mismatch, congenitally fused vertebrae and genetic factors may increase individuals' risk for DCM development. Non-myelopathic spinal cord compression (NMSCC) is a common phenomenon with a prevalence of 24.2% in the healthy population, and 35.3% among individuals >60 years of age. Clinical radiculopathy and/or electrophysiological signs of cervical cord dysfunction appear to be risk factors for myelopathy development. Radiological progression of incidental Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) is estimated at 18.3% over 81-months and development of myelopathy ranges between 0-61.5% (follow-up ranging from 40 to 124 months between studies) among studies. In patients with symptomatic DCM undergoing non-operative treatment, 20-62% will experience neurological deterioration within 3-6 years. CONCLUSION: Current estimates surrounding the natural history of DCM, particularly those individuals with mild or minimal impairment, lack precision. Clear predictors of clinical deterioration for those treated with non-operative care are yet to be identified. Future studies are needed on this topic to help improve treatment counseling and clinical prognostication.
- Klíčová slova
- cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), cord compression, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), progression, risk factors,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-myelopathic degenerative cervical spinal cord compression (NMDC) frequently occurs throughout aging and may progress to potentially irreversible degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Whereas standard clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrophysiological measures assess compression severity and neurological dysfunction, respectively, underlying microstructural deficits still have to be established in NMDC and DCM patients. The study aims to establish tract-specific diffusion MRI markers of electrophysiological deficits to predict the progression of asymptomatic NMDC to symptomatic DCM. METHODS: High-resolution 3 T diffusion MRI was acquired for 103 NMDC and 21 DCM patients compared to 60 healthy controls to reveal diffusion alterations and relationships between tract-specific diffusion metrics and corresponding electrophysiological measures and compression severity. Relationship between the degree of DCM disability, assessed by the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale, and tract-specific microstructural changes in DCM patients was also explored. RESULTS: The study identified diffusion-derived abnormalities in the gray matter, dorsal and lateral tracts congruent with trans-synaptic degeneration and demyelination in chronic degenerative spinal cord compression with more profound alterations in DCM than NMDC. Diffusion metrics were affected in the C3-6 area as well as above the compression level at C3 with more profound rostral deficits in DCM than NMDC. Alterations in lateral motor and dorsal sensory tracts correlated with motor and sensory evoked potentials, respectively, whereas electromyography outcomes corresponded with gray matter microstructure. DCM disability corresponded with microstructure alteration in lateral columns. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes imply the necessity of high-resolution tract-specific diffusion MRI for monitoring degenerative spinal pathology in longitudinal studies.
- Klíčová slova
- diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, spinal cord compression,
- MeSH
- difuzní magnetická rezonance MeSH
- komprese míchy * diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- krční obratle diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
- mícha diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- nemoci míchy * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a severe consequence of degenerative cervical spinal cord (CSC) compression. The non-myelopathic stage of compression (NMDC) is highly prevalent and often progresses to disabling DCM. This study aims to disclose markers of progressive neurochemical alterations in NMDC and DCM by utilizing an approach based on state-of-the-art proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Proton-MRS data were prospectively acquired from 73 participants with CSC compression and 47 healthy controls (HCs). The MRS voxel was centered at the C2 level. Compression-affected participants were clinically categorized as NMDC and DCM, radiologically as mild (MC) or severe (SC) compression. CSC volumes and neurochemical concentrations were compared between cohorts (HC vs. NMDC vs. DCM and HC vs. MC vs. SC) with general linear models adjusted for age and height (pFWE < 0.05) and correlated to stenosis severity, electrophysiology, and myelopathy symptoms (p < 0.05). Whereas the ratio of total creatine (tCr) to total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA) increased in NMDC (+11%) and in DCM (+26%) and SC (+21%), myo-inositol/tNAA, glutamate + glutamine/tNAA, and volumes changed only in DCM (+20%, +73%, and -14%) and SC (+12%, +46%, and -8%, respectively) relative to HCs. Both tCr/tNAA and myo-inositol/tNAA correlated with compression severity and volume (-0.376 < r < -0.259). Myo-inositol/tNAA correlated with myelopathy symptoms (r = -0.670), whereas CSC volume did not. Short-echo 1H-MRS provided neurochemical signatures of CSC impairment that reflected compression severity and clinical significance. Whereas volumetry only reflected clinically manifest myelopathy (DCM), MRS detected neurochemical changes already before the onset of myelopathy symptoms.
- Klíčová slova
- cervical spinal cord, compression, degenerative, magnetic resonance, myelopathy, spectroscopy,
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- inositol metabolismus MeSH
- komprese míchy metabolismus patologie MeSH
- krční mícha * MeSH
- krční obratle MeSH
- kreatin metabolismus MeSH
- kyselina asparagová analogy a deriváty metabolismus MeSH
- kyselina glutamová metabolismus MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční spektroskopie * MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
- Názvy látek
- inositol MeSH
- kreatin MeSH
- kyselina asparagová MeSH
- kyselina glutamová MeSH
- N-acetylaspartate MeSH Prohlížeč
Impaired gait is one of the cardinal symptoms of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and frequently its initial presentation. Quantitative gait analysis is therefore a promising objective tool in the disclosure of early cervical cord impairment in patients with degenerative cervical compression. The aim of this cross-sectional observational cohort study was to verify whether an objective and easily-used walk and run test is capable of detecting early gait impairment in a practical proportion of non-myelopathic degenerative cervical cord compression (NMDCC) patients and of revealing any correlation with severity of disability in DCM. The study group consisted of 45 DCM patients (median age 58 years), 126 NMDCC subjects (59 years), and 100 healthy controls (HC) (55.5 years), all of whom performed a standardized 10-m walk and run test. Walking/running time/velocity, number of steps and cadence of walking/running were recorded; analysis disclosed abnormalities in 66.7% of NMDCC subjects. The DCM group exhibited significantly more pronounced abnormalities in all walk/run parameters when compared with the NMDCC group. These were apparent in 84.4% of the DCM group and correlated closely with disability as quantified by the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale. A standardized 10-m walk/run test has the capacity to disclose locomotion abnormalities in NMDCC subjects who lack other clear myelopathic signs and may provide a means of classifying DCM patients according to their degree of disability.
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) proved promising in patients with non-myelopathic degenerative cervical cord compression (NMDCCC), i.e., without clinically manifested myelopathy. Aim of the study is to present a fast multi-shell HARDI-ZOOMit dMRI protocol and validate its usability to detect microstructural myelopathy in NMDCCC patients. In 7 young healthy volunteers, 13 age-comparable healthy controls, 18 patients with mild NMDCCC and 15 patients with severe NMDCCC, the protocol provided higher signal-to-noise ratio, enhanced visualization of white/gray matter structures in microstructural maps, improved dMRI metric reproducibility, preserved sensitivity (SE = 87.88%) and increased specificity (SP = 92.31%) of control-patient group differences when compared to DTI-RESOLVE protocol (SE = 87.88%, SP = 76.92%). Of the 56 tested microstructural parameters, HARDI-ZOOMit yielded significant patient-control differences in 19 parameters, whereas in DTI-RESOLVE data, differences were observed in 10 parameters, with mostly lower robustness. Novel marker the white-gray matter diffusivity gradient demonstrated the highest separation. HARDI-ZOOMit protocol detected larger number of crossing fibers (5-15% of voxels) with physiologically plausible orientations than DTI-RESOLVE protocol (0-8% of voxels). Crossings were detected in areas of dorsal horns and anterior white commissure. HARDI-ZOOMit protocol proved to be a sensitive and practical tool for clinical quantitative spinal cord imaging.
- MeSH
- biomedicínské inženýrství MeSH
- difuzní magnetická rezonance * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- komprese míchy diagnostické zobrazování patologie MeSH
- krční obratle patologie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemoci míchy diagnostické zobrazování patologie MeSH
- poměr signál - šum MeSH
- reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- shluková analýza MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- zobrazování difuzních tenzorů MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
