Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cross-sectional area of posterior extensor muscles of the cervical spine in asymptomatic subjects: a 10-year longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There has been no prospective study on age-related changes of the extensor muscles of the cervical spine in healthy subjects. This study was conducted to elucidate any association between the changes in cross-sectional area of the extensor muscles of the cervical spine on MRIs and cervical disc degeneration or the development of clinical symptoms. Sixty-two subjects who underwent MR imaging by a 1.5-Tesla machine between 1993 and 1996 as asymptomatic volunteers in a previous study were recruited again 10 years later for this follow-up study. The mean interval between the studies was 11.0 ± 0.7 years. The cross-sectional areas of the multifidus, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, and splenius capitis at C3–C4, C4–C5, and C5–C6 intervertebral levels were measured on T2-weighted axial images using Image J 1.42. The mean cross-sectional areas of the deep extensor muscles were 1,396.8 ± 337.6 mm2 at the C3–C4 level, 1,514.7 ± 381.0 mm2 at the C4–C5 level, and 1,542.8 ± 373.5 mm2 at the C5–C6 level in the previous investigation. The cross-sectional areas were 1,498.7 ± 374.4 mm2 at the C3–C4 level, 1,569.9 ± 390.9 mm2 at the C4–C5 level, and 1,599.6 ± 364.3 mm2 at the 10-year follow-up. An increase in the cross-sectional area of the muscles was more frequently observed in subjects in their tens to thirties in the initial study, while a decrease was more frequently observed in those in their forties and older in the initial study. Disc degeneration was not correlated with a change in extensor muscle volume. Development of shoulder stiffness during follow-up was significantly negatively correlated with a change in the cross-sectional area of the deep extensor muscles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Battie MC, Videman T, Kaprio J et al (2009) The Twin Spine Study: contributions to a changing view of disc degeneration. Spine J 9:47–59

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Booth FW, Weeden SH, Tseng BS (1994) Effect of aging on human skeletal muscle and motor function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 26:556–560

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Cagnie B, D’Hooge R, Achten E et al (2010) A magnetic resonance imaging investigation into the function of the deep cervical flexors during the performance of craniocervical flexion. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 33:286–291

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Chiba K, Ogawa Y, Ishii K et al (2006) Long-term results of expansive open-door laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy—average 14-year follow-up study. Spine 31:2998–3005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cohn SH, Vartsky D, Yasumura S et al (1980) Compartmental body composition based on total-body nitrogen, potassium, and calcium. Am J Physiol 239:524–530

    Google Scholar 

  6. Conley MS, Meyer RA, Bloomberg JJ et al (1995) Noninvasive analysis of human neck muscle function. Spine 20:2505–2512

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Elliott J, Jull G, Noteboom JT et al (2006) Fatty infiltration in the cervical extensor muscles in persistent whiplash-associated disorders: a magnetic resonance imaging analysis. Spine 31:847–855

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Elliott JM, Jull GA, Noteboom JT et al (2007) Magnetic resonance imaging study of cross-sectional area of the cervical extensor musculature in an asymptomatic cohort. Clin Anat 20:35–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Elliott J, Jull G, Noteboom JT et al (2008) MRI study of the cross-sectional area for the cervical extensor musculature in patients with persistent whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Man Ther 13:258–265

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Frontera WR, Hughes VA, Lutz KJ et al (1991) A cross-sectional study of muscle strength and mass in 45- to 78-yr-old men and women. J Appl Physiol 71:644–650

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gore DR (2001) Roentgengraphic findings in the cervical spine in asymptomatic persons: a ten-year follow-up. Spine 26:2463–2466

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Gore DR, Sepic SB, Gardner GM (1986) Roentgengraphic findings of the cervical spine in asymptomatic people. Spine 11:521–524

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Herkowitz HN, Garfin SR, Eismont FJ et al (2006) Rothman-Simeone, the spine, 5th edn. Saunders-Elsevier, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ichihara D, Okada E, Chiba K (2009) Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study on whiplash injury patients: minimum 10-year follow-up. J Orthop Sci 14:602–610

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Iizuka H, Shimizu T, Tateno K et al (2001) Extensor musculature of the cervical spine after laminoplasty: morphologic evaluation by coronal view of the magnetic resonance image. Spine 26:2220–2226

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Iizuka H, Nakajima T, Iizuka Y et al (2007) Cervical malalignment after laminoplasty: relationship to deep extensor musculature of the cervical spine and neurological outcome. J Neurosurg Spine 7:610–614

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Janssen I, Heymsfield SB, Wang ZM et al (2000) Skeletal muscle mass and distribution in 468 men and women aged 18–88 yr. J Appl Physiol 89:81–88

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kamper SJ, Rebbeck TJ, Maher CG et al (2008) Course and prognostic factors of whiplash: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain 138:617–629

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kotani Y, Abumi K, Ito M et al (2009) Minimum 2-year outcome of cervical laminoplasty with deep extensor muscle-preserving approach: impact on cervical spine function and quality of life. Eur Spine J 18:663–671

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Larsson L, Ansved T (1995) Effects of ageing on the motor unit. Prog Neurobiol 45:397–458

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Lehto IJ, Tertti MO, Komu ME et al (1994) Age-related MRI changes at 0.1 T in cervical discs in asymptomatic subjects. Neuroradiology 36:49–53

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Matsumoto M, Fujimura Y, Suzuki N (1998) MRI of cervical intervertebral discs in asymptomatic subjects. J Bone Joint Surg Br 80:19–24

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Nolan JP Jr, Sherk HH (1988) Biomechanical evaluation of the extensor musculature of the cervical spine. Spine 13:9–11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Okada E, Matsumoto M, Ichihara D et al (2009) Aging of the cervical spine in healthy volunteers: a 10-year longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study. Spine 34:706–712

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Okada E, Matsumoto M, Ichihara D et al (2010) Development of stiff shoulder in asymptomatic volunteers during ten-year follow-up in Japan. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 23:69–75

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K et al (1998) Critical load of the human cervical spine: an in vitro experimental study. Clin Biomech 13:11–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Parkkola R, Kormano M (1992) Lumbar disc and back muscle degeneration on MRI: correlation to age and body mass. J Spinal Disord 5:86–92

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Parkkola R, Rytökoski U, Kormano M (1993) Magnetic resonance imaging of the discs and trunk muscles in patients with chronic low back pain and healthy control subjects. Spine 18:830–836

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Schuenke M, Schulte E, Schumacher U (2006) General anatomy and musculoskeletal system. Thieme, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  30. Shiraishi T (2002) Skip laminectomy—a new treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy, preserving bilateral muscular attachments to the spinous processes: a preliminary report. Spine J 2:108–115

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Shiraishi T, Fukuda K, Yato Y et al (2003) Results of skip laminectomy-minimum 2-year follow-up study compared with open-door laminoplasty. Spine 28:2667–2672

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Takagishi K, Hoshino Y, Ide J et al (2008) Project study of Japan Ortheapedic Association on stiff shoulder. J Jpn Orthop Assoc 82:901–911 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Takeuchi K, Yokoyama T, Ono A et al (2007) Cervical range of motion and alignment after laminoplasty preserving or reattaching the semispinalis cervicis inserted into axis. J Spinal Disord Tech 20:571–576

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Tsuji T, Asazuma T, Masuoka K et al (2007) Retrospective cohort study between selective and standard C3-7 laminoplasty. Minimum 2-year follow-up study. Eur Spine J 16:2072–2077

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the General Insurance Association of Japan. We thank Dr. Takeshi Ikegami of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of Keio University, Dr. Kota Watanabe M.D. of the Advanced Therapy for Spine and Spinal Cord Disorders, Keio University, Takeshi Hashimoto M.D. of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University Tsukigase Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Tomoo Inoue of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyorin University, Dr. Masahiko Watanabe of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tokai University, Dr. Yoshiji Suzuki of the Omaezaki Municipal Hospital, and Mr. Toshio Watanabe of the Central Radiotechnology Department of Keio University Hospital for their help with this study.

Conflict of interest

Morio Matsumoto receives a consulting fee from Medtronic Japan and Kyoei Fire & Marine Insurance and has received an honorarium from the General Insurance Association of Japan for giving a workshop. Kazuhiro Chiba has received an honorarium from the General Insurance Association of Japan for giving a workshop. The other authors have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University, Shinanomachi 35, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan

    Eijiro Okada, Morio Matsumoto, Daisuke Ichihara, Kazuhiro Chiba & Yoshiaki Toyama

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan

    Hirokazu Fujiwara & Suketaka Momoshima

  3. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan

    Yuji Nishiwaki

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Isehara Kyodo Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan

    Takeshi Takahata

Authors
  1. Eijiro Okada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Morio Matsumoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daisuke Ichihara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kazuhiro Chiba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yoshiaki Toyama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hirokazu Fujiwara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Suketaka Momoshima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Yuji Nishiwaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Takeshi Takahata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Morio Matsumoto.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Okada, E., Matsumoto, M., Ichihara, D. et al. Cross-sectional area of posterior extensor muscles of the cervical spine in asymptomatic subjects: a 10-year longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study. Eur Spine J 20, 1567–1573 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1774-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1774-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation