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Advances in MR imaging for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

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Abstract

Purpose

To outline the pathogenesis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), the correlative abnormalities observed on standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the biological implications and current status of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and MR spectroscopy (MRS) as clinical tools, and future directions of MR technology in the management of CSM patients.

Methods

A systematic review of the pathogenesis and current state-of-the-art in MR imaging technology for CSM was performed.

Results

CSM is caused by progressive, degenerative, vertebral column abnormalities that result in spinal cord damage related to both primary mechanical and secondary biological injuries. The T2 signal change on conventional MRI is most commonly associated with neurological deficits, but tends not to be a sensitive predictor of recovery of function. DTI and MRS show altered microstructure and biochemistry that reflect patient-specific pathogenesis.

Conclusion

Advanced imaging techniques, including DTI and MRS, show higher sensitivity to microstructural and biochemical changes within the cord, and may aid in management of CSM patients.

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Acknowledgments

Research support: NIH 1R21NS065419-01A1 and 1R01NS078494-01A1.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA

    Benjamin M. Ellingson & Noriko Salamon

  2. Department of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, 10833 Leconte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Langston T. Holly

Authors
  1. Benjamin M. Ellingson
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  2. Noriko Salamon
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  3. Langston T. Holly
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Correspondence to Langston T. Holly.

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Ellingson, B.M., Salamon, N. & Holly, L.T. Advances in MR imaging for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Eur Spine J 24 (Suppl 2), 197–208 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2915-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2915-1

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