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The epidemiology of cervical spondylotic myelopathy

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Abstract

Objectives

This is an observational study looking at the epidemiology of cervical spondylotic myelopathy of patients presenting to our hospital.

Materials and methods

The notes and MRI scans of 41 patients presenting to the Leicester General Hospital with a clinical diagnosis of cervical myelopathy between January 2004 and December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Cervical myelopathy was found to be more common in male patients to the ratio of approximately 2.7:1, with an average age at diagnosis of 63.8 years. Multi-level disease was seen in the majority of patients, with C5/6 being the most commonly affected level.

Conclusions

Cervical myelopathy predominantly affects men in their 7th decade of life. It is often a multi-level disease with C5/6 being the most commonly affected. It has little in common with cervical radiculopathy and is more analogous to lumber spinal stenosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK

    J. R. Northover, J. B. Wild, J. Braybrooke & J. Blanco

Authors
  1. J. R. Northover
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  2. J. B. Wild
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  3. J. Braybrooke
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  4. J. Blanco
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Correspondence to J. R. Northover.

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Northover, J.R., Wild, J.B., Braybrooke, J. et al. The epidemiology of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Skeletal Radiol 41, 1543–1546 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-012-1388-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-012-1388-3

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