Relationship between cervical muscle morphology evaluated by MRI, cervical muscle strength and functional outcomes in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy

Abstract BACKGROUND Preoperative duration of symptoms may significantly impact outcomes in patients treated surgically for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). OBJECTIVE To (i) analyze whether duration of symptoms is associated with preoperative functional impairment, disability, and quality of life and (ii) determine the optimal timing for decompressive surgery. METHODS Patients with DCM were prospectively enrolled in either the AOSpine North American or International study at 26 global sites (n = 757). Postoperative functional impairment was evaluated at 1-yr using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score. Change scores between baseline and 1-yr were computed for the mJOA. Duration of symptoms was dichotomized into a “short” and “long” group at several cut-offs. Analysis of covariance was used to evaluate differences in change scores on the mJOA between duration of symptoms groups in 4-mo increments. RESULTS Our cohort consisted of 424 men and 255 women, with a mean duration of symptoms of 26.1 ± 36.4 mo (0.25-252 mo). Duration of symptoms was not correlated with preoperative mJOA, Nurick, Neck Disability Index, or Short-Form (SF)-36 Physical and Mental Component Scores. Patients with a duration of symptoms shorter than 4 mo had significantly better functional outcomes on the mJOA than patients with a longer duration of symptoms (>4 mo). Thirty-two months was also a significant cut-off. CONCLUSION Patients who are operated on within 4 mo of symptom presentation have better mJOA outcomes than those treated after 4 mo. It is recommended that patients with DCM are diagnosed in a timely fashion and managed appropriately.

Download Full-text

A Clinical Prediction Rule for Functional Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Severe Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Analysis of an International AOSpine Prospective Multicentre Dataset of 254 Subjects

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1055/s-0036-1582782 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (1_suppl) ◽

pp. s-0036-1582782-s-0036-1582782

Author(s):

Lindsay Tetreault ◽

Branko Kopjar ◽

Pierre Cote ◽

Paul Arnold ◽

Michael Fehlings

Keyword(s):

Cervical Myelopathy ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Prediction Rule ◽

Clinical Prediction Rule ◽

Clinical Prediction ◽

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Download Full-text

Impact of peripheral muscle strength on prognosis after extubation and functional outcomes in critically ill patients: a feasibility study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95647-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tsung-Hsien Wang ◽

Chin-Pyng Wu ◽

Li-Ying Wang

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Extubation Failure ◽

General Ward ◽

Walk Test ◽

Peripheral Muscle ◽

Observational Cohort ◽

Minute Walk ◽

Overall Mortality

AbstractThe influence of peripheral muscle strength on prognosis after extubation and subsequent functional outcomes is not evident. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) whether peripheral muscle strength can be used as a predictor for patients’ prognoses after extubation, and (2) whether the peripheral muscle strength before extubation is correlated with patients’ subsequent ambulation ability and in-hospital mortality. This study was a prospective observational cohort study. A hand-held dynamometer was used for evaluated the muscle strength of the biceps and quadriceps right before extubation. Besides, after the patients had been transferred from the ICU to the general ward, a 2-minute walk test was performed. A total of 52 patients were enrolled in this study, and the rate of extubation failure was 15%. The muscle strength of the quadriceps was significantly correlated with the prognosis after extubation, 48% of the patients were able to ambulate after being transferred to the general ward. The overall mortality rate was 11%, and there was a significant correlation between the biceps muscle strength and in-hospital mortality. Peripheral muscle strength may serve as an important predictor of a patients’ prognoses after extubation. Poor peripheral muscle strength is indicative of not only a higher risk of re-intubation but also higher in-hospital mortality and poorer functional outcomes.Trial registration: ISRCTN16370134. Registered 30 May 2019, prospectively registered. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16370134.

Download Full-text

Spine Treatment Appraisal Report (STAR): Does Riluzole Improve Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Decompression Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy?

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/2192568221997401 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822199740

Author(s):

Joseph R. Dettori

Keyword(s):

Cervical Myelopathy ◽

Decompressive Surgery ◽

Decompression Surgery ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Double Blind ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Fehlings MG, Badhiwala JH, Ahn H, et al. Safety and efficacy of riluzole in patients undergoing decompressive surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (CSM-Protect): a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2020.

Download Full-text