Choosing the right operation for spinal-cord compression in the neck, based on the MRI pattern
Surgical approach to cervical spondylotic myelopathy on the basis of radiological patterns of compression: prospective analysis of 129 cases
In simple words
The spinal cord in the neck can be squeezed in different ways. This study matched the type of operation, from the front or the back of the neck, to the pattern of squeezing seen on imaging.
What the study looked at
129 patients who had surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy, followed for about 2.8 years on average. Their compression was sorted into five imaging patterns.
What it found
Every pattern group improved on a standard spinal-cord function score. In patients with several levels involved, operating from the front gave slightly better scores than operating from the back.
Why it matters for patients
There is no single best operation for a compressed spinal cord in the neck. The approach should be chosen case by case, based on the imaging pattern and the patient's overall health.
Authors: Bapat MR, Chaudhary K, Sharma A, Laheri V · Eur Spine J 2008;17(12):1651–1663