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Measurement of volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal and its role in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 17:19 authored by Dong, F, Shen, C, Jiang, S, Zhang, R, Song, P, Yu, Y, Wang, S, Li, X, Zhao, G, Chang-Hai DingChang-Hai Ding

Purpose: To compare volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal between patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and normal subjects, and to investigate its significance in cervical spine disease.

Methods: Spiral computed tomography (CT) scan (C4–C6 cervical spine unit) was performed in 20 normal subjects and 36 cases of CSM at a neutral position, and data were transferred to the Advantage Workstation Version 4.2 for assessment. Bony canal area and fibrous canal area in each cross section, and sagittal diameters of cervical spinal canal and cervical spinal body were measured. Volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal was calculated using MATLAB. Cervical spinal canal ratio and effective cervical spinal canal ratio were calculated, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was used to assess cervical spinal cord function.

Results: Volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal at a neutral position was significantly higher in CSM patients as compared to normal subjects (P < 0.01). There was no correlation between cervical spinal canal ratio and JOA score in CSM patients, with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.171 (P > 0.05). However, sagittal diameter of secondary cervical spinal canal, effective cervical spinal canal ratio and volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal were significantly associated to JOA score, with Pearson’s coefficient correlations of 0.439 (P < 0.05), 0.491 (P < 0.05) and −0.613 (P < 0.01), respectively.

Conclusions: Volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal is an objective reflection of compression on cervical spine and spinal cord, and it is associated with cervical spinal cord function. These suggest that it may play a significant role in predicting the development of CSM.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

European Spine Journal

Volume

22

Issue

5

Pagination

1152-1157

ISSN

1432-0932

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Springer

Place of publication

Germany

Rights statement

Copyright 2013 Springer

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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