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Mahdavi A, Rasti S. Dynamic Flexion-Extension Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cervical Spine: An Evolutionary Tool for Diagnosis and Management of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. World Neurosurg 2024; 184:138-147. [PMID: 38246532 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic problems need dynamic solutions. High motility of the cervical spine causes a common age-related degenerative condition called cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), manifested by neurological impairments. An accurate and reliable diagnosis of CSM is crucial for determining appropriate management strategies. Traditional static magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been the gold standard for imaging CSM; however, it may not fully capture dynamic changes during neck movement. Dynamic flexion-extension (DFE) MRI is an innovative imaging technique that allows for real-time visualization of cervical spine motion. This review article aims to scrutinize the role of DFE MRI in assessing CSM, its added value to clinical implementations, and its limitations. Finally, by addressing the knowledge gaps, this survey sheds light on the road ahead to incorporate DFE MRI into a standard version of the practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mahdavi
- Department of Radiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Rasti
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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Burke CJ, Samim M, Babb JS, Walter WR. Utility of a 2D kinematic HASTE sequence in magnetic resonance imaging assessment of adjacent segment degeneration following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:1113-1122. [PMID: 37594524 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10133-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate a dynamic half-Fourier acquired single turbo spin echo (HASTE) sequence following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at the junctional level for adjacent segment degeneration comparing dynamic listhesis to radiographs and assessing dynamic cord contact and deformity during flexion-extension METHODS: Patients with ACDF referred for cervical spine MRI underwent a kinematic flexion-extension sagittal 2D HASTE sequence in addition to routine sequences. Images were independently reviewed by three radiologists for static/dynamic listhesis, and compared to flexion-extension radiographs. Blinded assessment of the HASTE sequence was performed for cord contact/deformity between neutral, flexion, and extension, to evaluate concordance between readers and inter-modality agreement. Inter-reader agreement for dynamic listhesis and impingement grade and inter-modality agreement for dynamic listhesis on MRI and radiographs was assessed using the kappa coefficient and percentage concordance. RESULTS A total of 28 patients, mean age 60.2 years, were included. Mean HASTE acquisition time was 42 s. 14.3% demonstrated high grade dynamic stenosis (> grade 4) at the adjacent segment. There was substantial agreement for dynamic cord impingement with 70.2% concordance (kappa = 0.62). Concordance across readers for dynamic listhesis using HASTE was 81.0% (68/84) (kappa = 0.16) compared with 71.4% (60/84) (kappa = 0.40) for radiographs. Inter-modality agreement between flexion-extension radiographs and MRI assessment for dynamic listhesis across the readers was moderate (kappa = 0.41; 95% confidence interval: 0.16 to 0.67). CONCLUSIONS A sagittal flexion-extension HASTE cine sequence provides substantial agreement between readers for dynamic cord deformity and moderate agreement between radiographs and MRI for dynamic listhesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Degeneration of the adjacent segment with instability and myelopathy is one of the most common causes of pain and neurological deterioration requiring re-operation following cervical fusion surgery. KEY POINTS • A real-time kinematic 2D sagittal HASTE flexion-extension sequence can be used to assess for dynamic listhesis, cervical cord, contact and deformity. • The additional kinematic cine sequence was well tolerated and the mean acquisition time for the 2D HASTE sequence was 42 s (range 31-44 s). • A sagittal flexion-extension HASTE cine sequence provides substantial agreement between readers for dynamic cord deformity and moderate agreement between radiographs and MRI for dynamic listhesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Burke
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Mohammad Samim
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - James S Babb
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - William R Walter
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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Li AY, McCarthy L, Hrabarchuk E, Spiera Z, Marayati NF, Schupper AJ, Hannah TC, Genadry L, Ali M, Quinones A, Kalagara R, Baron R, Sideras P, Naidich TP, Choudhri TF. Novel Grading Scales for Static and Flexion-Extension Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. World Neurosurg 2023; 173:e218-e227. [PMID: 36787858 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flexion-extension magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has potential to identify cervical pathology not detectable on conventional static MRI. Our study evaluated standard quantitative and novel subjective grading scales for assessing the severity of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in dynamic sagittal MRI as well as in static axial and sagittal images. METHODS Forty-five patients underwent both conventional and flexion-extension MRI prior to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion from C4 through C7. In addition to measuring Cobb angles and cervical canal diameter, grading scales were developed for assessment of vertebral body translation, loss of disc height, change in disc contour, deformation of cord contour, and cord edema. Data were collected at all levels from C2-C3 through C7-T1. Variations in measurements between cervical levels and from flexion through neutral to extension were assessed using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and two-way ANOVA tests. RESULTS Cervical canal diameter, vertebral translation, and posterior disc opening changed significantly from flexion to neutral to extension positions (P < 0.01). When comparing operative versus nonoperative cervical levels, significant differences were found when measuring sagittal cervical canal dimensions, vertebral translation, and posterior disc opening (P < 0.01). Degenerative loss of disc height, disc dehydration, deformation of ventral cord contour, and cord edema were all significantly increased at operative levels versus nonoperative levels (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Flexion-extension MRI demonstrated significant changes not available from conventional MRI. Subjective scales for assessing degenerative changes were significantly more severe at levels with operative cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The utility of these scales for planning surgical intervention at specific and adjacent levels is currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Y Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Lily McCarthy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eugene Hrabarchuk
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zachary Spiera
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Naoum Fares Marayati
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander J Schupper
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Theodore C Hannah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lisa Genadry
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Addison Quinones
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Roshini Kalagara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca Baron
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Panagiotis Sideras
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Thomas P Naidich
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tanvir F Choudhri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Prost S, Farah K, Toquart A, Mansouri N, Blondel B, Fuentes S. Contribution of dynamic cervical MRI to surgical planning for degenerative cervical myelopathy: Revision rate and clinical outcomes at 5 years' postoperative. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2023; 109:103440. [PMID: 36228966 DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2022.103440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cervical MRI is the gold standard for surgical planning of degenerative cervical myelopathy; however, the symptomatic postoperative recurrence rate is high in the medium and long terms (9.1% to 10.7%) and may bring into question the quality of the preoperative surgical plan. The objective of this study was to evaluate cervical spinal stenosis and intramedullary hyperintensity with dynamic cervical MRI to determine the recurrence rate and clinical improvement in a cohort of patients who had dynamic cervical MRI incorporated into their surgical plan. METHODS This was a prospective, single-center study. Upon enrolment and at each follow-up visit, patients completed the mJOA score, NDI, cervical pain on visual analog scale (VAS) and radicular pain on VAS. Every enrolled patient underwent dynamic cervical MRI (in neutral, flexion and extension positions). Five levels were measured in the three positions, resulting in 915 levels for analysis. RESULTS Sixty-one patients were included. Eighty-four levels had an intramedullary hyperintensity in neutral position, 93 in extension and 112 in flexion. The mean sagittal diameter varied the most at C4-C5, going from 7.13mm (SD 2.32) on average in neutral to 6.30mm (SD 2.22) in extension and 8.29mm (SD 2.10) in flexion, a variation of -12% and +16%, respectively. A Mühle grade≥2 was found in 134 levels in neutral position versus 189 in extension and 110 in flexion. None of the patients had worse neurological symptoms following the dynamic cervical MRI. The mean postoperative follow-up was 4.4 years (SD 0.88). Two patients (3.1%) required surgical revision because the implants had shifted. One patient developed symptomatic adjacent segment disease. CONCLUSION Preoperative surgical planning that incorporates dynamic cervical MRI before the surgical treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy appears to be a safe and reliable method and one that helps reduce symptoms in the long term. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solène Prost
- Aix-Marseille université, AP-HM, CNRS, ISM, CHU Timone, unité de chirurgie rachidienne, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Kaissar Farah
- Aix-Marseille université, AP-HM, CNRS, ISM, CHU Timone, unité de chirurgie rachidienne, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Toquart
- Centre chirurgical ADR - Médipôle Gentilly, 6, rue Colette, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Nacer Mansouri
- CHRU Nancy, service de neurochirurgie, 29, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 54035 Nancy, France
| | - Benjamin Blondel
- Aix-Marseille université, AP-HM, CNRS, ISM, CHU Timone, unité de chirurgie rachidienne, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Fuentes
- Aix-Marseille université, AP-HM, CNRS, ISM, CHU Timone, unité de chirurgie rachidienne, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France.
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Park D, Kim BH, Cho JM, Yang JW, Yang DH, Kim MS, Kwon HD, Lee SE. Diagnostic Role of Flexion-extension Central Motor Conduction Time in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2021; 46:1564-1571. [PMID: 32991514 PMCID: PMC8553006 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000003706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of flexion-extension central motor conduction time(CMCT) for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Previous reports have suggested that cervical cord compression can be aggravated by neck motions. Thus, the importance of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been emphasized. However, authors of this study found no reports conducted at the time of this research on whether flexion-extension CMCT was useful for detecting myelopathy. METHODS We enrolled 227 patients with CSM for this study. We acquired CMCT recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. All patients underwent a dynamic CMCT study during neck flexion and extension as well as a static study during neutral neck. Static and dynamic MRIs were also scanned. We read all MR images using Muhle classification (MC). RESULTS CMCT was significantly delayed with flexion (P < 0.01) and extension (P < 0.01) compared to neutral neck position. Patients with MC grade 1 and 2 showed significant lag in CMCT during flexion and extension. No significant lag by neck motion was observed for those in the MC grade 3. We also evaluated the amount of CMCT variation according to MC grade change (G0, G1, G2) by neck motion. Delta-CMCT of both G1 and G2 were significantly larger than those of G0 in both flexion and extension. In neutral neck, the CMCT showed significant difference between MC grades 1 and 3. They also displayed significant delay with delay with high signal intensity on T2 MRI. More than one-third of the patients whose CMCT was within normal range in neutral neck presented abnormal CMCT in neck flexion (35.3%) and extension (37.8%). CONCLUSION CMCT is significantly slower in both neck flexion and neck extension than in the neutral neck position. These findings reflect the dynamic cervical cord impingement.Level of Evidence: 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dougho Park
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hee Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Man Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Joong Won Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hoon Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Su Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Heum Dai Kwon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Eok Lee
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea
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Walter WR, Alizai H, Bruno M, Portugal S, Burke CJ. Real-time dynamic 3-T MRI assessment of spine kinematics: a feasibility study utilizing three different fast pulse sequences. Acta Radiol 2021; 62:58-66. [PMID: 32233646 DOI: 10.1177/0284185120913000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE), continuous radial gradient-echo (GRE), and True FISP allow real-time dynamic assessment of the spine. PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of adding dynamic sequences to routine spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of spondylolisthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective review was performed of patients referred for dynamic MRI of the cervical or lumbar spine between January 2017 and 2018 who had flexion-extension radiographs within two months of MRI. Exclusion criteria were: incomplete imaging; spinal hardware; and inability to tolerate dynamic examination. Blinded, independent review by two board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists was performed to assess for spondylolisthesis (>3 mm translation); consensus review of dynamic radiographs served as the gold standard. Cervical spinal cord effacement was assessed. Inter-reader agreement and radiographic concordance was calculated for each sequence. RESULTS Twenty-one patients were included (8 men, 13 women; mean age 47.9 ± 16.5 years). Five had MRI of the cervical spine and 16 had MRI of the lumbar spine. Mean acquisition time was 18.4 ± 1.7 min with dynamic sequences in the range of 58-77 s. HASTE and True FISP had the highest inter-reader reproducibility (κ = 0.88). Reproducibility was better for the lumbar spine (κ = 0.94) than the cervical spine (κ = 0.28). Sensitivity of sequences for spondylolisthesis was in the range of 68.8%-78.6%. All three sequences had high accuracy levels: ≥90.5% averaged across the cervical and lumbar spine. Cervical cord effacement was observed during dynamic MRI in two cases (100% agreement). CONCLUSION Real-time dynamic MRI sequences added to spine MRI protocols provide reliable and accurate assessment of cervical and lumbar spine spondylolisthesis during flexion and extension.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hamza Alizai
- Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mary Bruno
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Salvador Portugal
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
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Burke CJ, Samim M, Alizai H, Sanchez J, Kingsbury D, Babb JS, Walter WR. Clinical feasibility of 2D dynamic sagittal HASTE flexion-extension imaging of the cervical spine for the assessment of spondylolisthesis and cervical cord impingement. Eur J Radiol 2020; 134:109447. [PMID: 33307460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2020.109447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the utility of a 2D dynamic HASTE sequence in assessment of cervical spine flexion-extension, specifically (1) comparing dynamic spondylolisthesis to radiographs and (2) assessing dynamic contact upon or deformity of the cord. METHODS Patients with a dynamic flexion-extension sagittal 2D HASTE sequence in addition to routine cervical spine sequences were identified. Static and dynamic listhesis was first determined on flexion-extension radiographs reviewed in consensus. Blinded assessment of the dynamic HASTE sequence was independently performed by 2 radiologists for (1) listhesis and translation during flexion-extension and (2) dynamic spinal cord impingement (cord contact or deformity between neutral, flexion and extension). RESULTS 32 scans in 32 patients (9 males, 23 females) met inclusion criteria acquired on 1.5 T (n = 15) and 3 T (n = 17) scanners. The mean acquisition time was 51.8 s (range 20-95 seconds). Dynamic translation was seen in 14 patients on flexion-extension radiographs compared to 12 (reader 1) and 13 (reader 2) patients on HASTE, with 90.6 % agreement (K = 0.83; p = 0.789). In all cases dynamic listhesis was ≤3 mm translation with one patient showing dynamic listhesis in the range 4-6 mm. Four cases (13 %) demonstrated deformity of the cord between flexion-extension, not present in the neutral position. For cord impingement there was strong inter-reader agreement (K = 0.93) and the paired sample Wilcoxon signed rank test found no significant difference between the impingement scores of the two readers (p = 0.787). CONCLUSIONS A sagittal dynamic flexion-extension HASTE sequence provides a rapid addition to standard MRI cervical spine protocols, which may useful for assessment of dynamic spondylolisthesis and cord deformity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Burke
- NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, 301 E 17th St, New York, NY, 10003, United States.
| | - Mohammad Samim
- NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, 301 E 17th St, New York, NY, 10003, United States
| | - Hamza Alizai
- NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, 301 E 17th St, New York, NY, 10003, United States
| | - Julien Sanchez
- NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, 301 E 17th St, New York, NY, 10003, United States
| | - Dallas Kingsbury
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, NYU Langone Orthopedic Center, 333 East 38th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10016, United States
| | - James S Babb
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology Biostatistics, 660 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, United States
| | - William R Walter
- NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, 301 E 17th St, New York, NY, 10003, United States
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A comprehensive finite element model of surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2020; 74:79-86. [PMID: 32145673 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical myelopathy is a common and debilitating chronic spinal cord dysfunction. Treatment includes anterior and/or posterior surgical intervention to decompress the spinal cord and stabilize the spine, but no consensus has been made as to the preferable surgical intervention. The objective of this study was to develop an finite element model of the healthy and myelopathic C2-T1 cervical spine and common anterior and posterior decompression techniques to determine how spinal cord stress and strain is altered in healthy and diseased states. METHODS A finite element model of the C2-T1 cervical spine, spinal cord, pia, dura, cerebral spinal fluid, and neural ligaments was developed and validated against in vivo human displacement data. To model cervical myelopathy, disc herniation and osteophytes were created at the C4-C6 levels. Three common surgical interventions were then incorporated at these levels. FINDINGS The finite element model accurately predicted healthy and myelopathic spinal cord displacement compared to motions observed in vivo. Spinal cord strain increased during extension in the cervical myelopathy finite element model. All surgical techniques affected spinal cord stress and strain. Specifically, adjacent levels had increased stress and strain, especially in the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion case. INTERPRETATIONS This model is the first biomechanically validated, finite element model of the healthy and myelopathic C2-T1 cervical spine and spinal cord which predicts spinal cord displacement, stress, and strain during physiologic motion. Our findings show surgical intervention can cause increased strain in the adjacent levels of the spinal cord which is particularly worse following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
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The value of dynamic MRI in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a protocol for a prospective randomized clinical trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020; 21:83. [PMID: 32033548 PMCID: PMC7007666 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-020-3106-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most severe type of cervical spondylosis and the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction among adults over 55 years old. MRI plays an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of CSM, which can directly demonstrate the correlation between disc, spinal cord, posterior structures and abnormal signal in spinal cord. Static MRI can only show the static and neutral position of spinal cord, which is not enough to understand the pathogenesis of CSM. Dynamic MRI demonstrating the extension and flexion position of spinal cord can be a better tool for the treatment of CSM, especially the surgical decision making. Method A total of 180 CSM patients who have indications for surgery will be recruited in outpatient of Peking University Third Hospital and assigned to three groups (Group A, B and C) based on their static MRI after consent. Group A (incomplete dura compression) means the signal of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is still visible. Group B (complete dura compression) means no CSF signal and no shape change of spinal cord. Group C (spinal cord compression) means shape change of spinal cord. Two surgical plans will be made for each participant by one professional surgeon according to the static MRI and dynamic MRI respectively and we will randomly choose one to perform via a random number system. Follow-up will be maintained at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery through outpatient or telephone interview, including mJOA score, 10-s G&R (grip and release) and 10-s step test, SF-36 score, radiographic examination and complications. Finally, data collection and statistical analysis will be finished by researchers who are blinded to recruitment and treatment. Discussion This study will help us to explore the indication of dynamic MRI and the value of dynamic MRI in the treatment of CSM, especially the surgical decision making. Dynamic MRI can be a useful tool in the treatment of CSM patients. Trial registration ChiCTR1900023014. Registered on May 7th, 2019.
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Hilton B, Tempest-Mitchell J, Davies BM, Francis J, Mannion RJ, Trivedi R, Timofeev I, Crawford JR, Hay D, Laing RJ, Hutchinson PJ, Kotter MRN. Cord compression defined by MRI is the driving factor behind the decision to operate in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy despite poor correlation with disease severity. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226020. [PMID: 31877151 PMCID: PMC6932812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The mainstay treatment for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is surgical decompression. Not all cases, however, are suitable for surgery. Recent international guidelines advise surgery for moderate to severe disease as well as progressive mild disease. The goal of this study was to examine the factors in current practice that drive the decision to operate in DCM. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS 1 year of cervical spine MRI scans (N = 1123) were reviewed to identify patients with DCM with sufficient clinical documentation (N = 39). Variables at surgical assessment were recorded: age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms of DCM, disease severity, and quantitative MRI measures of cord compression. Bivariate correlations were used to compare each variable with the decision to offer the patient an operation. Subsequent multivariable analysis incorporated all significant bivariate correlations. RESULTS Of the 39 patients identified, 25 (64%) were offered an operation. The decision to operate was significantly associated with narrower non-pathological canal and cord diameters as well as cord compression ratio, explaining 50% of the variance. In a multivariable model, only cord compression ratio was significant (p = 0.017). Examination findings, symptoms, functional disability, disease severity, disease progression, and demographic factors were all non-significant. CONCLUSIONS Cord compression emerged as the main factor in surgical decision-making prior to the publication of recent guidelines. Newly identified predictors of post-operative outcome were not significantly associated with decision to operate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryn Hilton
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | | | - Benjamin M. Davies
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Jibin Francis
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Mannion
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Rikin Trivedi
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Timofeev
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - John R. Crawford
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas Hay
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Rodney J. Laing
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Hutchinson
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R. N. Kotter
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
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Stoner KE, Abode-Iyamah KO, Magnotta VA, Howard MA, Grosland NM. Measurement of in vivo spinal cord displacement and strain fields of healthy and myelopathic cervical spinal cord. J Neurosurg Spine 2019; 31:53-59. [PMID: 30901756 DOI: 10.3171/2018.12.spine18989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cervical myelopathy (CM) is a common and debilitating form of spinal cord injury caused by chronic compression; however, little is known about the in vivo mechanics of the healthy spinal cord during motion and how these mechanics are altered in CM. The authors sought to measure 3D in vivo spinal cord displacement and strain fields from MR images obtained during physiological motion of healthy individuals and cervical myelopathic patients. METHODS Nineteen study participants, 9 healthy controls and 10 CM patients, were enrolled in the study. All study participants had 3T MR images acquired of the cervical spine in neutral, flexed, and extended positions. Displacement and strain fields and corresponding principal strain were obtained from the MR images using image registration. RESULTS The healthy spinal cord displaces superiorly in flexion and inferiorly in extension. Principal strain is evenly distributed along the spinal cord. The CM spinal cord displaces less than the healthy cord and the magnitude of principal strain is higher, at the midcervical levels. CONCLUSIONS Increased spinal cord compression during cervical myelopathy limits motion of the spinal cord and increases spinal cord strain during physiological motion. Future studies are needed to investigate how treatment, such as surgical intervention, affects spinal cord mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E Stoner
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Iowa, and
| | | | | | | | - Nicole M Grosland
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Iowa, and
- 4Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
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12
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Jha SC, Miyazaki M, Tsumura H. Kinetic change of spinal cord compression on flexion-extension magnetic resonance imaging in cervical spine. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2018; 174:86-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2018.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Tykocki T, du Plessis J, Wynne-Jones G. Analysis of Morphometric Parameters in Cervical Canal Stenosis on Neutral and Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging. World Neurosurg 2018. [PMID: 29524700 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.02.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A dynamic compression injury of the cervical spinal cord (SC) is widely accepted in the pathophysiology of cervical myelopathy. Flexion/extension magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides information on the dynamic cervical injury. We sought to compare morphometric parameters on neutral and flexion/extension MRI in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS Patients with cervical canal stenosis who had MRI in neutral, flexion, and extension positions were reviewed retrospectively. A morphometric comparison of following parameters at compression level was performed: SC area, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) area, and CSF reserve ratio (CSF/CSF plus SC). Patients were classified according to the presence of high signal (HS) in SC, and predictors of HS were calculated by the use of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In total, 55 patients, 26 men, with mean age of 57 ± 13 were analyzed. Significant difference was found in mean CSF reserve ratio between flexion and extension (0.47 ± 0.18 vs. 0.40 ± 0.21, P < 0.05). SC area was significantly smaller in flexion (58.8 ± 13.3 mm2) than in both neutral (66.9 ± 22.3 mm2) and extension (68.3 ± 19.1 mm2). HS was found in 22 cases, and predictors of HS were smaller SC area on extension (odds ratio 1.46; 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.84) and smaller CSF plus SC area on flexion (OR 1.32; 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.45). Cut-off values on the receiver operating characteristic curve were 55 mm2 for SC and 99 mm2 for CSF plus SC area. CONCLUSIONS Application of dynamic MRI in cervical stenosis reveals significant differences of both SC and CSF reserve ratio in flexion/extension and neutral positions. Patients with smaller SC area in extension and smaller CSF plus SC area in flexion have greater risk of HS on MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Tykocki
- Department of Musculoskeletal, Spinal Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Johannes du Plessis
- Department of Neuroradiology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Guy Wynne-Jones
- Department of Musculoskeletal, Spinal Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Xu N, Wang S, Yuan H, Liu X, Liu Z. Does Dynamic Supine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Improve the Diagnostic Accuracy of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy? A Review of the Current Evidence. World Neurosurg 2017; 100:474-479. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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15
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Kuhn FP, Feydy A, Launay N, Lefevre-Colau MM, Poiraudeau S, Laporte S, Maier MA, Lindberg P. Kinetic DTI of the cervical spine: diffusivity changes in healthy subjects. Neuroradiology 2016; 58:929-35. [PMID: 27278377 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-016-1709-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The study aims to assess the influence of neck extension on water diffusivity within the cervical spinal cord. METHODS IRB approved the study in 22 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent anatomical MR and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 1.5 T. The cervical cord was imaged in neutral (standard) position and extension. Segmental vertebral rotations were analyzed on sagittal T2-weighted images using the SpineView® software. Spinal cord diffusivity was measured in cross-sectional regions of interests at multiple levels (C1-C5). RESULTS As a result of non-adapted coil geometry for spinal extension, 10 subjects had to be excluded. Image quality of the remaining 12 subjects was good without any deteriorating artifacts. Quantitative measurements of vertebral rotation angles and diffusion parameters showed good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.84-0.99). DTI during neck extension revealed significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) at the C3 level and increased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) at the C3 and C4 levels (p < 0.01 Bonferroni corrected). The C3/C4 level corresponded to the maximal absolute change in segmental vertebral rotation between the two positions. The increase in RD correlated positively with the degree of global extension, i.e., the summed vertebral rotation angle between C1 and C5 (R = 0.77, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION Our preliminary results suggest that DTI can quantify changes in water diffusivity during cervical spine extension. The maximal differences in segmental vertebral rotation corresponded to the levels with significant changes in diffusivity (C3/C4). Consequently, kinetic DTI measurements may open new perspectives in the assessment of neural tissue under biomechanical constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix P Kuhn
- Service de Radiologie B, APHP, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, 27 rue du Fbg St Jacques, 75679, Paris, France.
| | - Antoine Feydy
- Service de Radiologie B, APHP, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, 27 rue du Fbg St Jacques, 75679, Paris, France.,INSERM, U1153 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Center (CRESS), Epidémiologie clinique appliquées aux maladies ostéo-articulaires (Ecamo), Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Launay
- Service de Radiologie B, APHP, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, 27 rue du Fbg St Jacques, 75679, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Martine Lefevre-Colau
- INSERM, U1153 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Center (CRESS), Epidémiologie clinique appliquées aux maladies ostéo-articulaires (Ecamo), Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.,Service de Médecine Physique & de Réadaptation, APHP, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Serge Poiraudeau
- INSERM, U1153 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Center (CRESS), Epidémiologie clinique appliquées aux maladies ostéo-articulaires (Ecamo), Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.,Service de Médecine Physique & de Réadaptation, APHP, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Laporte
- Laboratoire de Biomécanique, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers, Paris, France
| | - Marc A Maier
- Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, INSERM U894, Paris, France.,FR3636 Neurosciences, CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Pavel Lindberg
- Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, INSERM U894, Paris, France.,FR3636 Neurosciences, CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Cadotte DW, Cadotte A, Cohen-Adad J, Fleet D, Livne M, Wilson JR, Mikulis D, Nugaeva N, Fehlings MG. Characterizing the location of spinal and vertebral levels in the human cervical spinal cord. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2014; 36:803-10. [PMID: 25523587 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Advanced MR imaging techniques are critical to understanding the pathophysiology of conditions involving the spinal cord. We provide a novel, quantitative solution to map vertebral and spinal cord levels accounting for anatomic variability within the human spinal cord. For the first time, we report a population distribution of the segmental anatomy of the cervical spinal cord that has direct implications for the interpretation of advanced imaging studies most often conducted across groups of subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty healthy volunteers underwent a T2-weighted, 3T MRI of the cervical spinal cord. Two experts marked the C3-C8 cervical nerve rootlets, C3-C7 vertebral bodies, and pontomedullary junction. A semiautomated algorithm was used to locate the centerline of the spinal cord and measure rostral-caudal distances from a fixed point in the brain stem, the pontomedullary junction, to each of the spinal rootlets and vertebral bodies. Distances to each location were compared across subjects. Six volunteers had 2 additional scans in neck flexion and extension to measure the effects of patient positioning in the scanner. RESULTS We demonstrated that substantial variation exists in the rostral-caudal position of spinal cord segments among individuals and that prior methods of predicting spinal segments are imprecise. We also show that neck flexion or extension has little effect on the relative location of vertebral-versus-spinal levels. CONCLUSIONS Accounting for spinal level variation is lacking in existing imaging studies. Future studies should account for this variation for accurate interpretation of the neuroanatomic origin of acquired MR signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Cadotte
- From the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery (D.W.C., A.C., J.R.W., M.G.F.) Toronto Western Hospital (D.W.C., D.M., N.N., M.G.F.), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Cadotte
- From the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery (D.W.C., A.C., J.R.W., M.G.F.)
| | - J Cohen-Adad
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering (J.C.-A.), Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - D Fleet
- Department of Computer Science (D.F., M.L.)
| | - M Livne
- Department of Computer Science (D.F., M.L.)
| | - J R Wilson
- From the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery (D.W.C., A.C., J.R.W., M.G.F.)
| | - D Mikulis
- Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology (D.M.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Toronto Western Hospital (D.W.C., D.M., N.N., M.G.F.), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - N Nugaeva
- Toronto Western Hospital (D.W.C., D.M., N.N., M.G.F.), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M G Fehlings
- From the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery (D.W.C., A.C., J.R.W., M.G.F.) Toronto Western Hospital (D.W.C., D.M., N.N., M.G.F.), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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