Open AccessApplication of magnetic resonance imaging in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Author(s) -
Chuan Zhang,
Sushant Kumar Das,
Dezhi Yang,
Hua-Yuan Yang
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
world journal of radiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1949-8470
DOI - 10.4329/wjr.v6.i10.826
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , myelopathy , spinal cord , spinal cord compression , diffusion mri , functional magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , decompression , cervical spondylosis , cord , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine , psychiatry
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction and is caused by static or dynamic repeated compression of the spinal cord resulting from degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and some biological injuries to the cervical spine. The T2 signal change on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is most commonly associated with neurological deficits. Diffusion tensor imaging and MR spectroscopy show altered microstructure and biochemistry that reflect patient-specific pathogenesis and can be used to predict neurological outcome and response to intervention. Functional MRI can help to assess the neurological functional recovery after decompression surgery for CSM.