Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

INTRODUCTION: This is a narrative overview of the pathophysiology, investigation and management of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM). This review article also takes a look ahead to the impact high resolution MRI may have on treatment. BACKGROUND: DCM is the most common cause of spinal dysfunction and yet it remains poorly understood. It is becoming increasingly common in our ageing population. Disc and facet joint abnormalities, osteophytes, spondylothisthesis and ligamentous hypertrophy all act together to produce spinal canal and neuronal foramina stenosis which in turn causes neural compromise. Its impact on the quality of life of this patient group and the wider economy is vast. Some patients with overt cord compression and MRI signal change in their cervical cord may only have subtle clinical signs whilst others with less striking imaging may be profoundly myelopathic. Who to operate on and when remains a neurosurgical dilemma in this group of patients. METHODS: A number of articles with a broad variation in methodology were reviewed and referenced during the production of this paper. RESULTS: This paper is a narrative review. The results presented in all the referenced articles were considered. CONCLUSION: The process of developing new imaging techniques will give a greater understanding of the causes of the symptoms of DCM and in a wider context facilitate further surgical and medical strategies that are more cost effective and beneficial to patients. The advent of 7T MRI or further optimisation of safer 3T MRI sequences may soon provide this opportunity and the diagnostic gap in spinal cord imaging can begin to close.

Original publication

DOI

10.1080/02688697.2018.1467371

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Neurosurg

Publication Date

24/04/2018

Pages

1 - 4

Keywords

Upper cervical spine, neurosurgery, spinal, spinal cord, spinal cord compression