Cervical spondylotic myelopathy refers to cervical spinal cord compression secondary to degenerative changes within the cervical spine. Degenerative changes in the cervical spine are called cervical spondylosis. In advanced stages, cervical spondylosis can cause compression of the spinal cord and produce symptoms like which often develop insidiously and are characterized by neck stiffness, arm pain, numbness in the hands, and weakness of the hands and legs. This condition is known as cervical spondylotic myelopathy or cervical myelopathy.
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the most common spinal cord disorder in persons more than 55 years of age. The overall prevalence in this population is unknown.
Pathophysiology of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
There are three important pathophysiologic factors in the development of cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Static mechanical
Osteophytic overgrowth of cervical spondylosis ventrally and buckling of ligamentum flavum dorsally can cause direct compression of the spinal. Symptoms are believed to develop when the spinal cord has been reduced by at least 30 percent.
Dynamic Mechanical
During flexion, the spinal cord lengthens, thus stretching over ventral osteophyte ridges. During extension, the ligamentum flavum may buckle into the spinal cord causing a reduction of available space for the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord Ischemia
Spinal cord ischemia probably plays a role in the development of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, particularly in later stages. The precise mechanism for spinal cord ischemia is not completely understood.
Clinical Presentation
Presentation of cervical spondylotic myelopathy ranges from having subtle findings such as clumsiness of hand functions or balance difficulties to incontinence and complete paralysis.
The symptoms usually develop insidiously. The patient may report only neck pain and stiffness. Unilateral or bilateral deep neck, arm, and shoulder pain, clumsiness or slowness with activities such as buttoning buttons or using keys etc. lower limb stiffness or clumsiness while walking may be present.
Need for of assistive devices during walking [cane, walker, or wheelchair] due to weakness or balance or necessity to use a handrail while negotiating stairs may be changes that would suggest progression of the myelopathy.
Weakness or stiffness in the legs is considered to be the hallmark of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Weakness or clumsiness of the hands in conjunction with the legs is also characteristic of CSM. Symptoms may be asymmetric. Changes in bowel or bladder dysfunction may be present in severe cases.
Physical examination may reveal loss of balance, decreased range of motion of the cervical spine.
Loss of motor strength, sensory changes, wasting of the intrinsic muscles of the hand, and spasticity may dramatically decrease upper extremity function and the condition is called myelopathy hand.
15 s Grip and Release
A normal patient should be able to grip and release their hand approximately 25–30 times in 15 seconds. Patients with chronic spondylotic myelopathy may find it difficult to do.
Finger Escape Sign
In patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, ulnar two digits [Ring finger and little finger] go into abduction and flexion after the patient holds his or her hand with the metacarpocarphalngeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint and distal interphalangeal joint in extension extended for a minute or so. The basis of the test is, however, is not understood.
Reflexes may be increased in the upper and lower extremities. Signs suggestive of compression like Babinski (a pathologic extension of the great toe elicited by stroking the foot) Hoffman’s, and inverted radial may be positive. [These clinical signs are suggestive of compression and not exclusive to myelopathy.]
Flexion of the neck may cause a generalized electric shock-like sensation down the center of the back [Lhermitte’s sign.].
Sensory abnormalities have a variable pattern on examination. Loss of vibratory sense or proprioception in the extremities (especially the feet) can occur.
The reflexes may be absent at the level of compression. For example, if the compression is at C5-C6, the biceps and supinator reflexes[c5, C6] may be absent, with a brisk triceps reflex (C7).
Ankle clonus may also be present in some patients.
Imaging Studies
X-rays
AP and lateral views would reveal reduced disc space, facet joint arthrosis, bone spurs, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and kyphosis of the cervical spine. Flexion-extension radiographs should be done to assess dynamic compression.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging would reveal disc herniations, facet joint hypertrophy, folding of the ligamentum flavum, cord edema, and the sagittal diameter of the cord are indicative of the extent of the pathology.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine is the procedure of choice during the initial screening process of patients with suspected cervical spondylotic.
MRI can also identify intrinsic spinal cord lesions that can also present with myelopathy.
CT
CT would show best the presence of bone spurs or any ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament as a source of compression are best visualized on cervical CT scan and are important for operative planning.
CT may give a more accurate assessment of the amount of canal compromise because it is superior to MRI in evaluating bone
CT myelography [Intrathecal injection of a contrast agent used in conjunction with CT] is used to assess cord compression especially a dynamic study for the visualization of contrast flow through the CSF in flexion, extension, and lateral bending. Since the advent of MRI, the use of myelography has decreased
Differential Diagnosis
It is important to ascertain the diagnosis before treatment is undertaken. A study has reported up to 14% of patients who underwent surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy were later found to have other diagnoses.
Because cervical spondylosis is a universal finding in the elderly population, it is important to correlate cervical spondylotic changes with sensorimotor abnormalities identified on examination.
Multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are two conditions which can be confused for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
MRI is in multiple sclerosis would identify demyelination in the spinal cord and cerebrum. The cerebrospinal fluid examination would reveal oligoclonal bands. Visual evoked responses would reveal electrical patterns in the brain.
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, there would be no sensory abnormalities on neurologic examination. Electromyography would reveal a pattern of fasciculations and nerve degeneration pattern.
Other conditions like primary spinal cord tumors, syringomyelia, metastatic tumors, subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (vitamin B12 deficiency), hereditary spastic paraplegia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and spinal cord infarction can be easily differentiated on specific MRI findings.
Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
About 18 percent of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy is reported to improve spontaneously, 40 percent will stabilize and approximately 40 percent will deteriorate without treatment.
Medical Treatment
Mild cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy can be put on careful watching. Following nonsurgical treatments have been used for the treatment of cervical spondylopathy.
Soft Collars
Soft collars allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles.
Exercise
Exercises improve neck strength and flexibility and may lessen discomfort.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Medications
Drugs like diclofenac and ibuprofen can reduce swelling and painful symptoms.
Apart from this cervical traction, skull traction and physical therapies are used.
Age, activity level, and functional status should all be taken into consideration when considering non-operative treatment.
Surgical Treatment
Symptomatic patients of cervical spondylotic myelopathy who are not responding to medical treatment, or have progressive symptoms, bowel or bladder involvement, or overt weakness should be considered for operative intervention.
The operative treatment is effective to prevent a further decline in function, improvement in the current level of function might not be much. Following patients perform better with surgery.
- The symptom of an electrical sensation that runs down the back and into the limbs
- Younger age
- Shorter duration of symptoms
- Single rather than multiple areas of involvement
The primary goal of surgery in cervical spondylotic myelopathy is to decompress the spinal cord, thus giving the neural elements more room.
Surgeries for CSM are broadly classified into anterior and posterior. In the presence of anterior compression, posterior decompression is indirect. Surgical techniques are as outlined below.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
In this, the neck is approached from the front. As the name suggests, the disc is removed and space is filled with bone graft. Cervical plates and screws are commonly used to help keep the bones in place till the actual fusion occurs.
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion
The vertebra is removed and replaced by a bone graft.
A combination of the two procedures may be performed.
Laminectomy
Using a posterior approach. bony arch (lamina), any bone spurs, and ligaments that are compressing the spinal cord are removed. Laminectomy relieves pressure on the spinal cord by providing extra space for it to drift backward.
Laminectomy ensures complete decompression of the spinal cord but makes the bones less stable.
Fusion with a bone graft and fixation with screws and rods may be added.
Laminectomy is ideal for people with very small spinal canals, swollen soft tissues at the back of the spine, and multiple level problems than spanning four or more spine segments.
Laminoplasty
It is a procedure that hinges the lamina open, without complete removal of the bone. The advantage of the procedure is that it preserves 30 to 50% of motion at the involved levels.
After surgery, about one-third of patients improve, one-third stay the same, and one-third continue to worsen over time.
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I am a 60 year old female with a history of longstanding spinal stenosis. 14 years ago, I had a two level foramenectomy c4 c5 and c5 c6 without fusion due to bone spurs compressing the nerves and causing severe muscle spasms on my neck and shoulders and loss of function of my hand. The surgery was a success.
I have some pain throughout my neck as well as pain, burning, and a sensation of heaviness radiating into my shoulders, right shoulder blade and upper right arm. A few days ago, I started to notice that my fine motor control is slightly off. I have weakness on my dominant right hand and arm.
A recent MRI showed a loss of normal lordosis
C2/c3 uncoventtebral hypertrophy with moderate to severe left neural foraminal narrowing
C3/c4 left sided foraminal encroachment
C4/c5 c5/c6 . left disk oseophyte complex causing a mass effect on the ventral subarachnoid spaces abutting (not displacing) the cord
c/6 to c/7 degenerative facet changes with severe bilateral neural foraminal narrowing and mild central stenosis. Marked spinal stenosis secondary to bulging disks and posterior osteophytes and bilateral foraminal narrowing
t1/t2, posterior disc protrusion
t2/t3 slight anterolistesis with posterior disc bulge. Disc appears to contact but not definitely compress the ventral aspect of the thoractic cord
t/3-t/4, I had right paracentral disc protrusion.
Over the past year, I have had PT, anti inflammatories, trigger point injections, Accupuncture, epidurals, radio frequency ablation, deep tissue massage, muscle relaxers and pain medications.
Could my symptoms be explained by the MRI results? I want to avoid fusion as my entire spine is severely degenerated and I don’t want to end up with the domino effect.
Could a foramenectomy without fusion address the symptoms?
What are the odds of fusion resulting in adjacent segments worsening?
Amy,
Correlation of your symptoms with your MRI is best done by your treating doctor. Apart from pain, weakness in your upper limbs is a major concern. You have not mentioned about spinal cord status. Foraminotomy is not likely to help if the cord is involved. But the final answer lies with your treating doctor.
Take care.