Editorial for “Utility of Advanced DWI in the Detection of Spinal Cord Microstructural Alterations and Assessment of Neurologic Function in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Patients”

Author(s):  
Raffaello Bonacchi ◽  
Maria A. Rocca ◽  
Massimo Filippi
Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 602-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanwen Liu ◽  
Erin L. MacMillian ◽  
Catherine R. Jutzeler ◽  
Emil Ljungberg ◽  
Alex L. MacKay ◽  
...  

Purpose:To assess the extent of demyelination in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) using myelin water imaging (MWI) and electrophysiologic techniques.Methods:Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and MWI were acquired in 14 patients with CSM and 18 age-matched healthy controls. MWI was performed on a 3.0T whole body magnetic resonance scanner. Myelin water fraction (MWF) was extracted for the dorsal columns and whole cord. SSEPs and MWF were also compared with conventional MRI outcomes, including T2 signal intensity, compression ratio, maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC), and maximum canal compromise (MCC).Results:Group analysis showed marked differences in T2 signal intensity, compression ratio, MSCC, and MCC between healthy controls and patients with CSM. There were no group differences in MWF and SSEP latencies. However, patients with CSM with pathologic SSEPs exhibited reduction in MWF (p < 0.05). MWF was also correlated with SSEP latencies.Conclusion:Our findings provide evidence of decreased myelin content in the spinal cord associated with impaired spinal cord conduction in patients with CSM. While conventional MRI are of great value to define the extent of cord compression, they show a limited correlation with functional deficits (i.e., delayed SSEPs). MWI provides independent and complementary readouts to spinal cord compression, with a high specificity to detect impaired conduction.


1985 ◽  
pp. 290-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-I. Shinomiya ◽  
K. Furuya ◽  
I. Yamaura ◽  
H. Sato ◽  
A. Kaneda ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Talaat Ahmed Abd El Hameed Hassan ◽  
Ramy Edward Assad ◽  
Shaimaa Atef Belal

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential application of MR diffusion tensor imaging (with calculation of fractional anisotropy (FA) values) in assessment of the spondylotic cervical spinal canal compromise and comparison with the information issued from conventional MR sequences for early detection of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Thirty patients (11 males and 19 females) were included in this study; age ranged from 22 to 70 years (mean age = 44). All patients had conventional and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) examinations of the cervical spine for detection and assessment of degree of cervical cord myelopathy. FA values of the whole cord circumference and at 3, 6, 9, 12 o’clock positions of the normal cord (opposite to C2), opposite to the most affected disc, and below the level of the most affected disc were measured. Results High statistically significant P values were obtained when comparing the FA values of the normal cord with the cord opposite to the most affected disc, the normal cord with the cord below the affected disc and the cord at the level of the most affected disc with the cord below the level of the most affected disc. Conclusions DTI of the cervical spinal cord with FA measurement in patients with cervical spondylosis helps in early detection of cervical cord compressive myelopathy prior to appearance of changes in conventional MRI, which can improve the clinical outcome and help in treatment plans.


Author(s):  
Kohei Takahashi ◽  
Hiroshi Ozawa ◽  
Naoya Sakamoto ◽  
Yuka Minegishi ◽  
Masaaki Sato ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
1946 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. WAYNE RUNDLES

Abstract Four types of disturbed neurologic function occur in pernicious anemia: (1) cerebral, (2) olfactory, (3) peripheral nerve and posterior columns of the spinal cord, and (4) lateral columns of the spinal cord. The neurologic prognosis depends upon the specific type of disability present, its severity, duration, and the adequacy of treatment. With intensive use of highly potent liver extracts intramuscularly the prognosis is far better than generally recognized. Serious neurologic residuals can be avoided if the diagnosis is made reasonably early.


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