Abstract
Introduction
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used routinely to diagnose cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, in cases where MRI is contraindicated, CT myelogram remains the preferable imaging modality for the diagnosis of CSM. There remains no confirmed consensus on the use of specific CT myelogram parameters and their relationship with regards to CSM disease severity, clinical presentation and prognosis after surgical treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine the CT myelogram imaging parameters in patients diagnosed with CSM that correlate with severity of CSM and predict postoperative patient outcome
Materials and Methods
An electronic database search was performed using Ovid Medline and Embase. CT mylogram studies investigating the correlation between imaging characteristics and CSM severity or postoperative outcomes were included. Two independent reviewers performed citation screening, selection, qualitative assessment and data extraction using an objective and blinded protocol. All authors involved in the study have no disclosures related to present study. No funding was needed for this study.
Results
We found no studies investigating the correlation between CT myelogram parameters and CSM severity. A total of 5 studies (402 patients) were included in this review and investigated the role of CT myelogram parameters in predicting outcome after surgical treatment. All studies were retrospective cohort studies. CT mylogram characteristics included the transverse area of the spinal cord at maximum level of compression, spinal canal narrowing, number of blocks, spinal canal diameter and flattening ratio. There is low evidence suggesting that patients with a transverse area of the spinal cord >30 mm2 at the level of maximum compression have better postoperative recovery and outcome.
Conclusion
Patients with greater transverse area of spinal cord at the level of maximum compression on CT myelogram are more likely to have better neurological outcome after surgery. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that any of the other CT mylogram parameters investigated are predictors of postoperative outcomes in patients with CSM.