An Institutional Study Of Cervical Compressive Myelopathy Patients: Surgical Outcomes Based On Clinical And Neurophysiological Parameters.

Laminectomy and fusion versus laminoplasty for the treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy: results from the AOSpine North America and International prospective multicenter studies

Background: The management of multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is still controversial. Patients with DCM can be treated nonsurgically or surgically, depending on symptom progression, severity, and radiological characteristics. Surgical treatment can be performed using either an anterior or posterior approach or both in some circumstances, each with a unique set of indications and limitations. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the outcomes of laminoplasty (LP) and laminectomy with lateral mass fixation (LMS) in multilevel DCM. Material and Methods: Patients with cervical compressive myelopathy operated by posterior approach between January 2021 and December 2023 were included. Outcomes were assessed with a modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (mJOA), Nurick grade, neck disability index (NDI), and Ishihara score (cervical curvature index [CCI]). Results: Forty patients were included of which 16 patients underwent LP and 24 patients underwent LMS. Significant improvement was noted postoperatively in both the groups in mJOA score, Nurick grade, and NDI. No gross improvement was seen in CCI. Operative time and implant cost per level were significantly less in LP. Recovery rates were comparable in all the measured parameters, namely mJOA score, Nurick grade, NDI, and Ishihara index in both groups. Conclusions: LP and lateral mass fixation lead to significant clinical improvement with no significant worsening in cervical lordosis. LP had less operative time with a better range of cervical motion and a cost-effective procedure in patients without cervical deformity while LMS was found to be more appropriate for kyphotic/deformed cervical spine.

P91. Surgical management of octogenarians with degenerative cervical myelopathy

Previous studies comparing the anterior versus posterior approach for the treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) report similar neurological outcomes. Although multilevel DCM is frequently combined with foraminal stenosis, previous studies have analyzed the outcomes of myelopathy without specifically addressing the outcomes of combined radicular symptoms. To compare the outcomes following anterior and posterior decompressive procedures for DCM combined with multilevel foraminal stenosis. A retrospective study. A cohort of patients with DCM with multilevel foraminal stenosis (>3 levels) who underwent decompression was analyzed. In the anterior group (group A), multilevel anterior cervical decompression and fusion were performed, and the posterior group (group P) consisted of laminoplasty with foraminotomies. Nurick grade, visual analogue scale (VAS) of neck and arm pain, neck disability index (NDI), short-form 36 (SF-36), complications, clinical adjacent segment pathologies (CASP), and additional operations performed were analyzed. C2-7 angle and range of motion, and Kellgren grade of radiographic adjacent segment pathology (RASP) were evaluated. A total of 96 patients were enrolled (M:F=53:43, mean age 60.8y, A: P=54:42, mean 36.6mo follow-up). All clinical parameters showed significant improvement from preoperative neurological status without significant difference between the 2 groups at the final follow-up. Both RASP grade and incidence of CASP were higher in the anterior group (A: 42.6% vs. P: 19.2%, P=0.014). The incidence of additional procedures was similar (A: 9.3% vs. P: 16.7%, P=0.276); however, the etiology was mainly CASP in the anterior group (4-5 cases) and persistent radicular symptoms in the posterior group (6-7 cases). Anterior and posterior decompressive surgeries are reliable for the surgical treatment of DCM with multilevel foraminal stenosis and showed similar outcomes for both myelopathy and upper extremity radicular symptoms. The major etiology compromising the clinical outcome was a higher incidence of CASP in the anterior group and persistent or recurrent upper extremity radicular symptoms in the posterior group.

Introduction Longstanding compression of the spinal cord in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) may result in irreversible neural tissue damage. This study aims to analyze whether a longer duration of symptoms is associated with poor surgical outcomes and to determine the optimal timing for decompressive surgery. Material and Methods Three hundred and fifty patients with symptomatic DCM were prospectively enrolled in either the CSM-North America or International study at 12 sites in North America. For each patient, extensive demographic information was collected, including age, co-morbidities, and a self-reported estimate of preoperative duration of symptoms. Postoperative functional status and quality of life were evaluated at 6-, 12- and 24-months using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA), Nurick grade, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Short-Form-36 (SF-36) Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Scores. Change scores between baseline and 12-month follow-up were computed for each outcome measure. Duration of symptoms was dichotomized into a “short” and “long” group at several cut-offs. An iterative mixed model analytic approach procedure was used to evaluate differences in change scores on the mJOA, Nurick, SF-36 MCS and PCS and NDI between duration groups in 1-month increments. Two models were constructed: 1) an unadjusted model between duration of symptoms and surgical outcome and 2) a model adjusting for significant independent covariates identified through stepwise regression analysis. Results Our cohort consisted of 201 (57.43%) men and 149 (42.57%) women, with a mean age of 57.49 ± 11.77 years (range: 29–87 years). The mean duration of symptoms was 25.71 ± 36.68 months (range: 1–240 months). In unadjusted analysis, patients with a duration of symptoms shorter than 4 months had significantly better functional outcomes based on the mJOA ( p = 0.04) than patients with a longer duration of symptoms (>4 months). On average, patients with a shorter duration of symptom improved by 3.71 on the mJOA, whereas those with a duration 4 months or longer only exhibited a 2.96 mean gain. Twelve months was identified as the next important cut-off beyond which patients had a significantly worse outcomes on the mJOA; however, this difference was smaller. Following adjusted analysis, cut-offs of 4 and 12 months remained significant. Duration of symptoms was not associated with Nurick or SF-36 PCS or MCS in either the unadjusted or adjusted models. Conclusion Patients who are operated on within 4 months of symptom presentation have better mJOA outcomes. It is recommended that patients with DCM are diagnosed in a timely fashion and referred early for surgical consultation. Our study does not support the traditional conservative “watchful waiting” approach to symptomatic patients with DCM.

A service evaluation of inpatient perioperative rehabilitation provision in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

INTRODUCTION: There is considerable debate regarding the relative effectiveness of laminoplasty vs. laminectomy and fusion for posterior surgical decompression of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). METHODS: Subjects with DCM that underwent posterior decompression was derived from three independent, prospective, multicentre clinical trials (CSM-NA, CSM-I, CSM-Protect). Primary endpoint was change in SF36-PCS (minimum clinically important difference [MCID] 4) at 1yr compared to pre-operative assessment. Secondary endpoints were change in mJOA (MCID 2) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI; MCID 15) score, NDI Pain Intensity score, and SF36-MCS (MCID 4) score. Two comparison cohorts were created: i) laminoplasty (LP) and ii) laminectomy and fusion (LF). One-stage hierarchical mixed-effects meta-analyses with study and treatment exposure as random effects were performed. As subgroup analysis, the influence of procedural volume between LP-predominant sites, LF-predominant sites, and volume-equivalent sites was investigated. RESULTS: From a total of 1047 patients with DCM, 369 patients met eligibility criteria. There was geographic variability in surgical choice with higher rates of laminectomy and fusion in Brazil and Canada and higher laminoplasty rates in Japan and India. USA had similar rates of LF and LP. When compared to LF-predominant sites, LP-predominant sites achieved greater rates of MCID for mJOA at 1yr (85.4% v. 68.7%, p=0.036) with their predominant technique. There were no significant differences in MCID rates of NDI, SF36-PCS, or SF36-MCS. When comparing LF-predominant and LP-predominant sites with USA, a volume equivalent site, there were no significant differences in MCID rates of all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Sites that primarily used LP achieved greater rate of MCID in mJOA with laminoplasty than laminectomy with fusion from primarily LF sites. This suggests that experience with either LP or LF can drive outcomes which has interesting healthcare delivery implications.

Previous studies aimed at identifying predictors of clinical outcomes following surgical decompression for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) are limited by multicollinearity among predictors, whereby the high degree of correlation between covariates precludes detection of potentially significant findings. We apply partial least squares (PLS), a data-driven approach, to model multi-dimensional variance and dissociate patient phenotypes associated with functional, disability, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in DCM. This was a post-hoc analysis of DCM patients enrolled in the prospective, multi-center AOSpine CSM-NA/CSM-I studies. Baseline clinical covariates evaluated as predictors included demographic (e.g., age, sex), clinical presentation (e.g., signs and symptoms), and treatment (e.g., surgical approach) characteristics. Outcomes evaluated included change in functional status (∆mJOA), disability (∆NDI), and QOL (∆SF-36) at 2 years. PLS was used to derive latent variables (LVs) relating specific clinical covariates with specific outcomes. Statistical significance was estimated using bootstrapping. Four hundred and seventy-eight patients met eligibility criteria. PLS identified 3 significant LVs. LV1 indicated an association between presentation with hand muscle atrophy, treatment by an approach other than laminectomy alone, and greater improvement in physical health-related QOL outcomes (e.g., SF-36 Physical Component Summary). LV2 suggested the presence of comorbidities (respiratory, rheumatologic, psychological) was associated with lesser improvements in functional status post-operatively (i.e., mJOA score). Finally, LV3 reflected an association between more severe myelopathy presenting with gait impairment and poorer mental health-related QOL outcomes (e.g., SF-36 Mental Component Summary). Using PLS, this analysis uncovered several novel insights pertaining to patients undergoing surgical decompression for DCM that warrant further investigation: (1) comorbid status and frailty heavily impact functional outcome; (2) presentation with hand muscle atrophy is associated with better physical QOL outcomes; and (3) more severe myelopathy with gait impairment is associated with poorer mental QOL outcomes.

Study DesignRetrospective case series.PurposeThis study aimed to examine the efficacy of composite grip strength as a marker of surgical outcome in patients with moderate to severe degenerative cervical myelopathy.Overview of LiteratureDegenerative cervical myelopathy causes loss of dexterity, muscle strength, and sensations in the hand. The impact of surgical management on improvement in composite grip strength has received scant attention.MethodsThis retrospective study was performed on degenerative cervical myelopathy patients with a complete composite grip strength assessment between January 2013 to January 2019. The Biometrics E-link hand kit was used for the assessment. The following parameters were measured: maximum grip strength, sustained grip strength, three-jaw pinch, maximum key pinch, and sustained key pinch. The pre- and postoperative functional status was assessed using the Nurick grade and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score.ResultsA total of 40 patients were included in the study. The mean patient age was 51.9 years. The mean preoperative Nurick grade was 3.5 and the mJOA score was 10.9. The anterior approach was used in 25 patients, and the posterior approach was used in 15 patients. Four patients developed complications. Degenerative cervical myelopathy resulted in decreased handgrip and pinch strength as compared to normative Indian data. There was a significant improvement in the postoperative composite grip strength for all five parameters. There was no differential improvement between the anterior and posterior surgical groups. The improvement in the composite grip strength correlated with the improvement in functional scores.ConclusionsComposite grip strength analysis is an objective method for assessing the impact of degenerative cervical myelopathy on grip strength and monitoring the postoperative improvement. Decompressive surgery resulted in global improvement in all the parameters of composite grip strength.

101. Prospective evaluation of degenerative cervical myelopathy in asymptomatic patients over 60 years

Surgeons often choose between 2 different approaches (anterior and posterior) for surgical treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy on the basis of imaging features of spinal cord compression, the number of levels affected, and the spinal alignment. However, there is a lack of consensus on which approach is preferable. The objective of the present study was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based propensity-score-matched analysis to compare postoperative outcomes between the anterior and posterior surgical approaches for degenerative cervical myelopathy. A total of 757 patients were enrolled in 2 prospective multicenter AOSpine studies, which involved 26 international sites. Preoperative MRIs were reviewed to characterize the causes of the cord compression, including single-level disc disease, multilevel disc disease, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, enlargement of the ligamentum flavum, vertebral subluxation/spondylolisthesis, congenital fusion, number of compressed levels, or kyphosis. The propensity to choose anterior decompression was calculated using demographic data, preoperative MRI findings, and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores in a logistic regression model. We then performed 1-to-1 matching of patients who had received anterior decompression with those who had the same propensity score but had received posterior decompression to compare 2-year postoperative outcomes and 30-day perioperative complication rates between the 2 groups after adjustment for background characteristics. A total of 435 cases were included in the propensity score calculation, and 1-to-1 matching resulted in 80 pairs of anterior and posterior surgical cases; 99% of these matched patients had multilevel compression. The anterior and posterior groups did not differ significantly in terms of the postoperative mJOA score (15.1 versus 15.3, p = 0.53), Neck Disability Index (20.5 versus 24.1, p = 0.44), or Short Form-36 (SF-36) Physical Component Summary (PCS) score (41.9 versus 40.9, p = 0.30). The overall rates of perioperative complications were similar between the 2 groups (16% versus 11%, p = 0.48); however, dysphagia/dysphonia was reported only in the anterior group whereas surgical site infection and C5 radiculopathy were reported only in the posterior group. Anterior and posterior decompression for degenerative cervical myelopathy resulted in similar postoperative outcomes and rates of complications. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score is a widely used and validated metric for assessing severity of myelopathy. Its relationship to functional and quality-of-life outcomes after surgery has not been fully described. To quantify the association of the mJOA with the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. The cervical module of the prospectively enrolled Quality Outcomes Database was queried retrospectively for adult patients who underwent single-stage degenerative cervical myelopathy surgery. The mJOA score, NDI, and EQ-5D were assessed preoperatively and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Improvement in mJOA was used as the independent variable in univariate and multivariable linear and logistic regression models. Across 14 centers, 1121 patients were identified, mean age 60.6 ± 11.8 years, and 52.5% male. Anterior-only operations were performed in 772 patients (68.9%). By univariate linear regression, improvements in mJOA were associated with improvements in NDI and EQ-5D at 3 and 12 months postoperatively (all P < .0001) and with improvements in the 10 NDI items individually. These findings were similar in multivariable regression incorporating potential confounders. The Pearson correlation coefficients for changes in mJOA with changes in NDI were -0.31 and -0.38 at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The Pearson correlation coefficients for changes in mJOA with changes in EQ-5D were 0.29 and 0.34 at 3 and 12 months. Improvements in mJOA correlated weakly with improvements in NDI and EQ-5D, suggesting that changes in mJOA may not be a suitable proxy for functional and quality-of-life outcomes.

Introduction The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score is the most frequently used clinician-administered tool to assess functional status in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). By defining the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for this scale, clinicians can evaluate treatment outcomes for this condition and better interpret evidence from clinical studies. This study aims to establish the MCID of the mJOA in patients with CSM. Material and Methods Three different methods were used to determine the MCID of the mJOA: 1) distribution-based, 2) anchor-based and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and 3) professional opinion. The first two methods were accomplished using data from 517 patients enrolled in the AOSpine CSM-North America or CSM-International studies. Distribution-based methods were used to estimate the MCID by computing the half standard deviation and standard error of measurement. Using anchor-based methods, mJOA at 12-months after surgery was compared between patients who “slightly improved” on the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and those who were “unchanged.” ROC analysis was then performed to compute a discrete integer value for the MCID that yielded the smallest difference between sensitivity and specificity. Finally, MCID estimates were obtained by surveying members of AOSpine International. We repeated the anchor-based methods for patients with mild (mJOA: 15–17), moderate (mJOA: 12–14) and severe disease (mJOA &lt; 12). Results Our cohort consisted of 315 men and 202 women, with ages ranging from 21 to 86 years (mean age: 56.37 ± 11.60). The mean baseline mJOA score was 12.48 ± 2.71. One hundred and twenty-nine patients were classified as mild (mJOA = 15–17) preoperatively, 208 as moderate (mJOA = 12–14) and 180 as severe (mJOA &lt; 12). Based on the NDI at 12-months following surgery, 76 (14.70%) patients worsened (NDI &lt; −7.5), 130 (25.15%) were unchanged (−7.5≤NDI &lt; 7.5), 87 (16.83%) slightly improved (7.5≤NDI &lt; 15) and 224 (43.33) showed marked improvements (15≤NDI). The half standard deviation of the baseline mJOA was 1.36 and the standard error of measurement was 1.21. The difference in mJOA between patients who “slightly improved” on the NDI and those who were “unchanged” was 1.11. ROC analysis yielded a value of 2 for the MCID (Fig. 1). The survey of 416 spine professionals confirmed these estimates: The mean response was 1.65 ± 0.66, although the most commonly selected answer was 2 (39.42%). The MCID significantly varied depending on myelopathy severity: ROC analysis yielded a threshold of 1 for mild patients, 2 for moderate patients and 3 for severe patient. Conclusion The MCID of the mJOA is estimated to be between 1 and 2 points and varies significantly with myelopathy severity. This knowledge will enable clinicians to identify meaningful functional improvements in surgically treated CSM patients.

Introduction The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score is a validated, investigator-administered tool used to evaluate functional status in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). This scale is increasingly used in this population to measure baseline myelopathy severity, postoperative improvements and social independence. There is, however, no study that determines what scores on the mJOA constitute mild, moderate and severe disease. Patients in different severity categories are managed differently both intraoperatively and postoperatively; therefore, establishing this criteria has clinical value across the whole spectrum of care. This study aims to determine appropriate cut-offs between mild, moderate and severe myelopathy and to examine the construct validity of these definitions. Material and Methods Between December 2005 and January 2011, 757 patients with clinically-diagnosed and imaging-confirmed CSM were enrolled in either the prospective, multicenter CSM-North America (n=278) or CSM-International (n=479) study at 26 global sites. Functional status and quality of life were evaluated in these patients at baseline and at 6-, 12- and 24-months postoperative using a wide variety of outcome measures, including the mJOA, Nurick score, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Short-form-36 (SF-36). Using the Nurick grade as an anchor, ROC analysis was conducted to determine the cut-offs between mild and moderate myelopathy and between moderate and severe disease. These cut-offs were validated by developing and testing various constructs. Specifically, we examined whether patients in different severity groups had significantly different functional impairment, disability, symptomatology, imaging findings and post-treatment improvements. Finally, members of AOSpine International were surveyed to see what professionals viewed as appropriate cut-offs between severity categories. Results In ROC analysis, a mJOA of 14 was determined to be the cut-off between mild and moderate myelopathy and a score of 11 as the score between moderate and severe disease. Patients in the severe myelopathy group (n=254) had significantly reduced quality of life and functional status and a greater number of signs and symptoms than patients classified as mild (n=193) or moderate (n=296). Furthermore, severe patients required greater improvements on the mJOA to achieve a minimum clinically important difference. From our survey, a score of 15 (n=143, 34.38%) was the most commonly selected cut-off between mild and moderate myelopathy (mean 14.38). The majority of respondents selected 10 (n=178, 42.79%) as the mJOA cut-off between moderate and severe myelopathy (mean 11.26) Conclusion Based on our results, mild myelopathy can be defined as a mJOA=15-17, moderate as mJOA=12-14 and severe as mJOA &lt; 12. These categories are the same as those established by the AOSpine study group for the purpose of the CSM-North America study.

IntroductionPeople with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) often experience diagnostic delay. This could lead to poorer outcomes, including disability. Research questionDoes the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA) have clinical utility as an early detection tool for possible DCM? Materials and methodsThis is a prospective study of consecutive adult patients, referred to a National Neurosurgical Centre with a neck problem. Assessing clinicians undertook standard clinical examination and calculated the mJOA score. A consultant radiologist independently reported radiological findings, after which the assessing clinician determined the diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of mJOA for DCM at various cut-points was statistically analysed using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves. ResultsOf 201 patients (98 male, mean age 52.6 ± 13y) assessed over 13 months, 21 were diagnosed with DCM (prevalence 10.4%). Fifteen (71.4%) had a mJOA score classifying disease severity as mild, 4/21 (19%) had moderate disease and two (9.5%) had severe disease. A mJOA score ≤17 (cutpoint ≥1) showed sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 71% for the clinical diagnosis of DCM. mJOA score ≤16 (cutpoint ≥2) had sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 90%. The ROC area under the curve was 0.885 (95% confidence interval: 0.82 to 0.95). 87% of patients were correctly classified. Discussion and conclusionmJOA score ≤16 is 90% specific for a subsequent diagnosis of DCM in people with neck problems and has potential to be used as an early detection tool. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and establish feasibility and acceptability in primary care.