Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Group Research Articles

Is there a difference in range of motion, neck pain, and outcomes in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament versus those with cervical spondylosis, treated with plated laminoplasty?

There are little data on the effects of plated, or plate-only, open-door laminoplasty on cervical range of motion (ROM), neck pain, and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare ROM after a plated laminoplasty in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) versus those with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and to correlate ROM with postoperative neck pain and neurological outcomes. The authors retrospectively compared patients with a diagnosis of cervical stenosis due to either OPLL or CSM who had been treated with plated laminoplasty in the period from 2007 to 2012 at the University of California, San Francisco. Clinical outcomes were measured using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale and neck visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographic outcomes included assessment of changes in the C2-7 Cobb angle at flexion and extension, ROM at C2-7, and ROM of proximal and distal segments adjacent to the plated lamina. Sixty patients (40 men and 20 women) with an average age of 63.1 ± 10.9 years were included in the study. Forty-one patients had degenerative CSM and 19 patients had OPLL. The mean follow-up period was 20.9 ± 13.1 months. The mean mJOA score significantly improved in both the CSM and the OPLL groups (12.8 to 14.5, p < 0.01; and 13.2 to 14.2, respectively; p = 0.04). In the CSM group, the mean VAS neck score significantly improved from 4.2 to 2.6 after surgery (p = 0.01), but this improvement did not reach the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Neither was there significant improvement in the VAS neck score in the OPLL group (3.6 to 3.1, p = 0.17). In the CSM group, ROM at C2-7 significantly decreased from 32.7° before surgery to 24.4° after surgery (p < 0.01). In the OPLL group, ROM at C2-7 significantly decreased from 34.4° to 20.8° (p < 0.01). In the CSM group, the change in the VAS neck score significantly correlated with the change in the flexion angle (r = - 0.31) and the extension angle (r = - 0.37); however, it did not correlate with the change in ROM at C2-7 (r = - 0.1). In the OPLL group, the change in the VAS neck score did not correlate with the change in the flexion angle (r = 0.03), the extension angle (r = - 0.17), or the ROM at C2-7 (r = - 0.28). The OPLL group had a significantly greater loss of ROM after surgery than did the CSM group (p = 0.04). There was no significant correlation between the change in ROM and the mJOA score in either group. Plated laminoplasty in patients with either OPLL or CSM decreases cervical ROM, especially in the extension angle. Among patients who have undergone laminoplasty, those with OPLL lose more ROM than do those with CSM. No correlation was observed between neck pain and ROM in either group. Neither group had a change in neck pain that reached the MCID following laminoplasty. Both groups improved in neurological function and outcomes.

Range of motion loss after cervical laminoplasty: a prospective study with minimum 5-year follow-up data

Background contextAlthough numerous studies have reported on the loss of flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) associated with laminoplasty, few have reported on the time course of this loss of motion for a long-term follow-up period. PurposeWe previously reported our early data on postlaminoplasty cervical ROM. In this article, we describe our minimum 5-year follow-up data to identify the time-dependent change in ROM after cervical laminoplasty. Study designA prospective cohort study. Patient sampleThe procedure was performed in 23 patients. Eighteen patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up were included in the study. Outcome measuresThe time-dependent neck ROM changes observed in the neutral, flexion, and extension radiographs were used to measure the radiological outcome. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association classification and a numerical rating scale of axial neck pain and arm pain were used to evaluate clinical outcome. MethodsTwenty-three patients who received unilateral open-door laminoplasties, including miniplate fixation over three levels, were serially evaluated at regular set intervals postoperatively. Eighteen patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 68.1 months (range, 60–78 months). Nine patients had ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and nine patients had cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Enrolled patients were divided into subgroups (OPLL vs. CSM; autofusion vs. nonautofusion) to compare the ROM between the groups. We evaluated the time-dependent neck ROM changes by taking neutral, flexion, and extension radiographs preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Follow-up radiographs were taken annually after a 2-year follow-up. ResultsThe preoperative and 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month postoperative ROM figures were 39.9±11.2°, 35.0±9.2°, 33.0±11.0°, 30.1±10.4°, 25.8±13.1°, 24.7±10.0°, 23.8±6.5°, 24.6±8.3°, and 23.6±9.4°, respectively, and at the most recent follow-up, ROM was 24.5±10.1°. Thus, the mean ROM decreased by 15.4±8.4° (38.5%) by the last follow-up (p<.0001). In the OPLL group, we observed a more limited cervical ROM than in the CSM group (47.2% vs. 72.7%). As expected, in the laminar autofusion group, the ROM decreased significantly (55.6% decrease), whereas in the nonautofusion group, the ROM decreased less significantly (13.4% decrease) at the last follow-up. Postoperative axial pain did not correlate with the cervical ROM. ConclusionsThese results suggest that the loss of cervical ROM after laminoplasty is time-dependent, and patients with OPLL and laminar autofusion had less ROM. Postlaminoplasty ROM reduction can recover after several years, unless laminar autofusion occurs.

Gait impairment in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: comparison with age- and gender-matched healthy controls

Gait impairment is a primary symptom of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM); however, little is known about specific kinetic and kinematic gait parameters. The objectives of the study were: (1) to compare gait patterns of people with untreated CSM to those of age- and gender-matched healthy controls; (2) to examine the effect of gait speed on kinematic and kinetic parameters. Sixteen patients with CSM were recruited consecutively from a neurosurgery clinic, and 16 healthy controls, matched to age (± 5 years) and gender, were recruited for comparison. Patients and controls underwent three-dimensional gait analysis using a Vicon(®) motion analysis system, at self-selected speed over a 10-m track. Controls were also assessed at the speed of their CSM match. At self-selected speed, the CSM group walked significantly more slowly, with shorter stride lengths and longer double support duration. They showed significant decreases in several kinematic and kinetic parameters, including sagittal range of motion at the hip and knee, ankle plantarflexion, anteroposterior ground reaction force (GRF) at toe-off, power absorption at the knee in loading response and terminal stance, and power generation at the ankle. At matched speed, the CSM group showed significant decreases in knee flexion during swing, total sagittal knee range of motion, peak ankle plantarflexion and anteroposterior GRF. The findings suggested that people with CSM have significant gait abnormalities that have not been previously reported. In particular, there are key differences in the motor strategies used in the terminal stance phase of gait that cannot be explained by speed alone.

Maximum voluntary ventilation as a sensitive measure to monitor the ventilatory function in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

A prospective clinical cohort study. To test if maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), which is currently underutilized in diseases, serves for assessing subclinical ventilatory impairment in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Kochi Medical School, Japan. We studied ventilatory function in 49 CSM patients and 20 age- and sex-matched control patients with either lumbar stenosis or lower limb osteoarthritis. All patients underwent ventilatory function studies consisting of flow volume curves, vital capacity (VC) and the MVV in 12 s before and after surgery. Tetraparesis was assessed by the functional scale of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA). The CSM group had significantly smaller %forced VC , %peak expiratory flow rate (%PEFR) and %MVV than the control group preoperatively. In contrast to the control group, the CSM group showed a significant increase in %MVV from 74.9±18.7% preoperatively to 80.3±19.0% postoperatively (P<0.005), but not in any other ventilatory measures. This postoperative increase in %MVV significantly correlated with the JOA score (r=0.493; P<0.001). As a possible effect of diaphragmatic recovery, the %PEFR significantly increased postoperatively only in patients with the primary site of involvement at or rostral to C3-4. Of the various ventilatory measurements, MVV was most sensitive to changes in tetraparesis in CSM, presumably because MVV, unlike the other ventilatory measures, reflects the coordination in addition to the strength of respiratory muscles.

Efficacy of Modified Expansive Open-Door Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy

Objectives: Expansive open-door laminoplasty is used widely for the treatment of cervical spondylosis and Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL). We have developed a unique modification of the surgical procedure to keep the lamina expanded, with the aim of preventing reclosure of the vertebral arch. To examine the effectiveness of and problems associated with the modified expansive open-door laminoplasty technique developed at our institution by evaluating the surgical outcomes. Methods and Materials: Fifty-six patients (46 men and 10 women) underwent the modified expansive open-door laminoplasty and were followed up for at least 1 year. Thirty-eight had Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM) and 18 had OPLL. The patients were 34 to 89 years of age (mean: 60.9 years). The severity of myelopathy was evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association’s scoring system. Surgical outcomes were evaluated using Hirabayashi’s system for determining recovery rate. In the radiographic analysis, the following angles were measured before and after surgery: lordosis angle and Range of Motion (ROM) at C2 - C7 on lateral radiographs, and opening angle on computerized tomography (CT). The presence and absence of axial pain and postoperative C5 palsy were also evaluated. Results: The rate of JOA score improvement was about 60%, the lordosis angle observed on lateral radiographs was maintained. ROM decreased after surgery in both the CSM and OPLL groups, and the extent of the decrease was similar to that in previous reports. The opening angle of the lamina was 62°- 65° on post-operative CT. Axial pain was reported by 34% of patients. Conclusions: Our modified procedure produced satisfactory postoperative outcomes based on the clinical data and imaging findings for both CSM and OPLL. The advantage of this procedure is that it avoids potential complications associated with bone grafts or implants.

The Time Course of Range of Motion Loss After Cervical Laminoplasty

A prospective study. To identify the time-dependent change in range of motion (ROM) after cervical laminoplasty. Although numerous studies have reported on the loss of flexion/extension ROM associated with laminoplasty, few have reported on the time course of this loss of motion. Twenty-three patients who received unilateral open-door laminoplasties, including miniplate fixation over 2 levels, were serially evaluated at regular set intervals after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 26.78 months (range: 24-41 months). Twelve patients had OPLL and 11 patients had cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups (ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament [OPLL] and cervical spondylotic myelopathy) to compare the ROM between the OPLL and the spondylosis patients. We evaluated the time-dependent neck ROM changes by taking neutral, flexion, and extension radiographs before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. Postoperative neck and arm pain was evaluated using a numerical rating scale. The preoperative, and 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month postoperative ROM figures were 37.8 degrees +/- 14.6 degrees, 34.1 degrees +/- 12.9 degrees, 35.0 degrees +/- 12.3 degrees, 30.3 degrees +/- 13.0 degrees, 28.6 degrees +/- 15.1 degrees, 27.3 degrees +/- 12.4 degrees, 26.1 degrees +/- 14.8 degrees, and 25.9 degrees +/- 13.2 degrees, respectively, and at the most recent follow-up, ROM was 25.8 +/- 15.2 degrees. Thus, the mean ROM decreased by 10.1 degrees +/- 9.5 degrees (31.66%) after surgery (P = 0.002). In OPLL group, we observed a more limited cervical ROM than in cervical spondylotic myelopathy group (35.3% vs. 29.2%). However, the rate of ROM reduction slowed with time in both groups (P = 0.000). Postoperative axial pain did not correlate with the degree of serial cervical ROM. The results suggest that the loss of cervical ROM is time-dependent and plateaus by 18 months after surgery, with no further decreases thereafter.

Analysis of Interleukin-8, Interleukin-10, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Retrospective cohort study. The expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with cervical myelopathy. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the CSF levels of those 3 cytokines differ significantly among 3 groups of patients with different diseases. IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immune assay. CSF samples were collected from 3 groups of patients. The cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) group consisted of 35 patients. The ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament group [(OPLL) group] consisted of 7 patients, and the control group consisted of 12 patients. The concentration of IL-8 was 69.0+/-35.2 pg/mL in the CSM group, 82.1+/-46.7 pg/mL in the OPLL group, and 43.5+/-20.9 pg/mL in the control group. The concentration of IL-8 was significantly higher in the CSM and OPLL groups than in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the CSM group and OPLL group. The concentration of IL-10 and TNF-alpha in all groups was below the sensitivity of the measurements. In this study, the concentration of IL-8 was high in CSM and OPLL patients. However, the concentration of IL-10 and TNF-alpha was below the sensitivity of the measurements.

Analysis of gait in cervical myelopathy.

Gait disorders are a frequent symptom of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Twelve patients with CSM underwent gait analysis before and after decompressive surgery. They were assessed on a walkway and a treadmill and compared with a healthy matched control group. The following features were observed in the CSM group before surgery: significantly reduced gait velocity and step length (P<0. 05), prolonged double support, increased step width, and reduced ankle joint extension during treadmill walking. Knee and hip kinematics did not differ from controls. Two months after surgery, spatio-temporal parameters had moved towards normal values, velocity, step length and cadence had increased significantly, and there was reduction of step width during treadmill walking, indicating improved equilibrium. Gait analysis is an objective tool to document functional recovery after decompressive surgery in CSM.

頚部脊柱管狭窄症のＸ線学的評価 身長との関係について

This study evaluated the relationship beween spinal canal anteroposterior diameter, canal-body ratio and height. Subjects consisted of 50 patients with cervical spondvlotic myelopathy, and a control group of 50 healthy male volunteers. The anteroposterior dimensions of the vertebral bodies and spinal canal were assessed on lateral roentgenograms, using a target distance of 150cm. The width of the canal was measured between the midpoint of the posterior cortex of the vertebral body to the closest point on the spinolaminar line. The width of the vetebral body was measured at its center.Results revealed that the spinal canal anteroposterior diameter was narrower in the cervical spondylotic myelopathy group compared to the control group. In contrast there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in regard to vertebral body anteroposterior diameter. A correlation between anteroposterior dimensions of the vertebral bodies and spinal canal height was recognized in the control group. However, no correlation between canal-body ratio with body height was seen in either group. A significant difference in canal-body ratio was seen between the control group and cervicl spondylotic myelopathy group (p<0.01).We consider that the canal-body ratio is an effective determination method for cervical canal stenosis.