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World J Radiol. Oct 28, 2014; 6(10): 826-832
Published online Oct 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i10.826
Application of magnetic resonance imaging in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Chuan Zhang, Sushant K Das, Dong-Jun Yang, Han-Feng Yang
Chuan Zhang, Sushant K Das, Dong-Jun Yang, Han-Feng Yang, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Zhang C and Yang HF contributed equally to this work; Zhang C, Yang HF, Yang DJ and Das SK collected information about the disease; Zhang C and Yang HF designed the research; Zhang C, Yang HF, Yang DJ and Das SK collected and analyzed the literature; Zhang C and Yang HF wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Han-Feng Yang, MD, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, 63 Wenhua Road, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan Province, China. hanfengyang168@163.com
Telephone: +86-817-2262089 Fax: +86-817-2262236
Received: February 20, 2014
Revised: September 14, 2014
Accepted: September 23, 2014
Published online: October 28, 2014
Processing time: 245 Days and 16.4 Hours
Abstract

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction and is caused by static or dynamic repeated compression of the spinal cord resulting from degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and some biological injuries to the cervical spine. The T2 signal change on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is most commonly associated with neurological deficits. Diffusion tensor imaging and MR spectroscopy show altered microstructure and biochemistry that reflect patient-specific pathogenesis and can be used to predict neurological outcome and response to intervention. Functional MRI can help to assess the neurological functional recovery after decompression surgery for CSM.

Keywords: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy; Magnetic resonance imaging; Diffusion tensor imaging; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Functional magnetic resonance imaging

Core tip: This article attempts to investigate the application of magnetic resonance (MR) technology to the management of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients and discusses recent and future advances in both conventional and novel MR techniques. The novel MR techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging, MR spectroscopy and functional MR imaging, have all played an essential role in the management of patients with CSM.