Decompression For Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Research Articles

Diffusion MRI Metrics Characterize Postoperative Clinical Outcomes After Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Advanced diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) modeling, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI), may help guide rehabilitation strategies after surgical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Currently, however, postoperative DWI is difficult to interpret, owing to signal distortions from spinal instrumentation. Therefore, we examined the relationship between postoperative DTI/DBSI-extracted from the rostral C3 spinal level-and clinical outcome measures at 2-year follow-up after decompressive surgery for CSM. Fifty patients with CSM underwent complete clinical and DWI evaluation-followed by DTI/DBSI analysis-at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes included the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score and comprehensive patient-reported outcomes. DTI metrics included apparent diffusion coefficient, fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. DBSI metrics evaluated white matter tracts through fractional anisotropy, fiber fraction, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity as well as extra-axonal pathology through restricted and nonrestricted fraction. Cross-sectional Spearman's correlations were used to compare postoperative DTI/DBSI metrics with clinical outcomes. Twenty-seven patients with CSM, including 15, 7, and 5 with mild, moderate, and severe disease, respectively, possessed complete baseline and postoperative DWI scans. At 2-year follow-up, there were 10 significant correlations among postoperative DBSI metrics and postoperative clinical outcomes compared with 3 among postoperative DTI metrics. Of the 13 significant correlations, 7 involved the neck disability index (NDI). The strongest relationships were between DBSI axial diffusivity and NDI (r = 0.60, P < .001), DBSI fiber fraction and NDI (rs = -0.58, P < .001), and DBSI restricted fraction and NDI (rs = 0.56, P < .001). The weakest correlation was between DTI apparent diffusion coefficient and NDI (r = 0.35, P = .02). Quantitative measures of spinal cord microstructure after surgery correlate with postoperative neurofunctional status, quality of life, and pain/disability at 2 years after decompressive surgery for CSM. In particular, DBSI metrics may serve as meaningful biomarkers for postoperative disease severity for patients with CSM.

K-line (−) in the Neck-Flexed Position Predicts a Large Loss of Lordosis after Posterior Decompression for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

K-line (−) in the Neck-Flexed Position Predicts a Large Loss of Lordosis after Posterior Decompression for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Determining the time frame of maximum clinical improvement in surgical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy when stratified by preoperative myelopathy severity: a cervical Quality Outcomes Database study.

While surgical decompression is an important treatment modality for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), it remains unclear if the severity of preoperative myelopathy status affects potential benefit from surgical intervention and when maximum postoperative improvement is expected. This investigation sought to determine if retrospective analysis of prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following surgery for CSM differed when stratified by preoperative myelopathy status. Secondary objectives included assessment of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). A total of 1151 patients with CSM were prospectively enrolled from the Quality Outcomes Database at 14 US hospitals. Baseline demographics and PROs at baseline and 3 and 12 months were measured. These included the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI), quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) from the EQ-5D, and visual analog scale from the EQ-5D (EQ-VAS). Patients were stratified by preoperative myelopathy severity using criteria established by the AO Spine study group: mild (mJOA score 15-17), moderate (mJOA score 12-14), or severe (mJOA score < 12). Univariate analysis was used to identify demographic variables that significantly varied between myelopathy groups. Then, multivariate linear regression and linear mixed regression were used to model the effect of severity and time on PROs, respectively. For NDI, EQ-VAS, and QALY, patients in all myelopathy cohorts achieved significant, maximal improvement at 3 months without further improvement at 12 months. For mJOA, moderate and severe myelopathy groups demonstrated significant, maximal improvement at 3 months, without further improvement at 12 months. The mild myelopathy group did not demonstrate significant change in mJOA score but did maintain and achieve higher PRO scores overall when compared with more advanced myelopathy cohorts. The MCID threshold was reached in all myelopathy cohorts at 3 months for mJOA, NDI, EQ-VAS, and QALY, with the only exception being mild myelopathy QALY at 3 months. As assessed by statistical regression and MCID analysis, patients with cervical myelopathy experience maximal improvement in their quality of life, neck disability, myelopathy score, and overall health by 3 months after surgical decompression, regardless of their baseline myelopathy severity. An exception was seen for the mJOA score in the mild myelopathy cohort, improvement of which may have been limited by ceiling effect. The data presented here will aid surgeons in patient selection, preoperative counseling, and expected postoperative time courses.

Unilateral Approaches for Posterior Spinal Canal Decompression in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy—An Evaluation of Conceptual Feasibility

Patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) can be treated with posterior approaches for spinal canal decompression. We compared the patients' outcome after 2 different unilateral and a bilateral posterior approach for decompression to elucidate feasibility and potential procedure-related differences. Medical records of 98 patients with CSM undergoing posterior decompression between 2012 and 2018 were assessed. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) unilateral interlaminar fenestration with over-the-top "undercutting" (laminotomy) for compression limited to a ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, (2) unilateral hemilaminectomy for lateralized compression with a combination of ligamentous hypertrophy and osseus stenosis, and (3) laminectomy/laminoplasty for circular osseous-ligamentous spinal canal narrowing. The mean age was 73 years (m:f = 1.4:1), and most frequent symptoms (mean duration: 15 months) were ataxia (69%) and sensory changes (57%). Main location of stenoses (median Naganawa Score = 3; mean anteroposterior spinal canal diameter = 7.7 ± 2.2 mm) was C3 to C6. Thirty-one percent of the patients were assigned for a laminotomy procedure, 20% for a hemilaminectomy, and 49% for a laminectomy/laminoplasty. There were no significant differences of patients' characteristics, blood loss, and operation time between the 3 groups. Independent from the mode of surgery, the spinal canal was significantly widened (median Naganawa Score = 0; mean anteroposterior diameter = 11.4 ± 3.6 mm) and myelopathy (mJOA Score) improved ( P &lt; .001); a higher body mass index was significantly correlated with a worse mJOA improvement (r = 0.293/ P = .003). Quality of life (Short-Form 36v2 Health Survey/Neck Disability Index) and reduction of the neck pain level were similar in the 3 groups at last follow-up (mean: 28 months). To minimize patients' periprocedural burden in CSM with dorsal compression, individual tailoring of the posterior approach according to the underlying compressive pathology achieves sufficient decompression and comparable long-term results.

Functional outcome assessment for surgical decompression of cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is one of the most common dysfunctions of spinal cord occurs due to degenerative changes in cervical spine disc and facet joints. It is a form of progressive spine disease including herniated disc and spinal cord stenosis which manifests as changes in gait, skilled hand movements, muscle strength, bladder dysfunction etc. Recent studies and trials have established that surgical decompression of cervical spinal is a cost-effective treatment modality which provide satisfactory functional recovery. This study aimed at the functional outcome of surgical decompression of CSM.Methods: The prospective study of 100 cases of cervical myelopathy for which decompressive surgery was done from August 2020 to August 2021. Results were analysed according to Nuricks and modified Japanese orthopedic association scoring system (MJOA).Results: Seventy one males and 29 females were included in this study with average age was 53 and average hospital stay was 3.55 days. Average pre-op Nurick score was 1.93, while score after 6 months and 1year were 1.44 and 1.15respectively. Average pre-op MJOA score was 13.63, while score after 6 months and 1 year were 14.58 and 15.74 respectively.Conclusions: The functional results of decompressive surgeries for cervical myelopathy are satisfactory. Both anterior and posterior approaches are recommended for multiple cervical myelopathy with comparable outcomes. DM and age was observed as the independent predictor for functional outcome, while, gender and level of disease got less significant predictive value.

Posterior Surgical Techniques for Cervical Spine

Currently, various posterior surgical techniques are available for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. These techniques include laminoplasty and laminectomy with or without fusion, and are often used in patients with multilevel cervical stenosis. They were developed with the intent to reduce the risk of complications such as injury to the spinal cord and nerve roots, C5 palsy, postlaminectomy membrane, and postoperative kyphosis. Posterior decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy is effective in improving neurological function in patients with appropriate surgical indications.

Influence of Intervertebral Level of Stenosis on Neurological Recovery and Reduction of Neck Pain After Posterior Decompression Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Retrospective Multicenter Study with Propensity Scoring.

Retrospective multicenter study. To identify the impact of the intervertebral level of stenosis on surgical outcomes of posterior decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). As the upper affected cervical levels in elderly patients result from degenerative changes in the lower cervical levels with aging, it is usually difficult to determine the influence of the upper affected cervical levels on surgical outcomes after posterior decompression for CSM in older age. This study involved 636 patients with CSM who underwent posterior decompression. According to the most stenotic intervertebral level, patients were divided into upper (n = 343, the most stenotic intervertebral level was C2/3, C3/4, or C4/5) and lower (n = 293, the most stenotic intervertebral level was C5/6, C6/7, or C7/T1) cervical stenosis groups. Propensity score matching of the baseline factors (characteristics, comorbidities, and neurological function) was performed to compare surgical outcomes, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) for neck pain between the upper (n = 135) and lower (n = 135) cervical stenosis groups. Before propensity score matching, age at surgery was older and pre- and postoperative JOA scores were lower in the upper cervical stenosis group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Following matching, baseline factors were comparable between the groups. Postoperative JOA scores, preoperative-to-postoperative changes in the JOA scores, and the JOA score recovery rate were not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.866, P = 0.825, and P = 0.753, respectively). No differences existed in postoperative VAS for neck pain and preoperative-to-postoperative changes in VAS for neck pain between the groups (P = 0.092 and P = 0.242, respectively). The intervertebral level of stenosis did not affect surgical outcomes after posterior decompression for CSM.Level of Evidence: 3.

Surgical Decompression for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy in Patients with Associated Hypertension: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort and Systematic Review of the Literature

To explore the relationship between spinal cord compression and hypertension through analysis of blood pressure (BP) variations in a cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) cohort after surgical decompression, along with a review of the literature. A single-institution retrospective review of patients with CSM who underwent cervical decompression between 2016 and 2017 was conducted. Baseline clinical and imaging characteristics, preoperative and postoperative BP readings, heart rate, functional status, and pain scores were collected. In addition, a PRISMA guidelines-based systematic review was performed. We identified 264 patients with CSM treated surgically; 149 (56.4%) of these had hypertension. The degree of spinal canal compromise and spinal cord compression, preoperative neurologic examination, and the presence of T2-signal hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging were associated with hypertension. Overall mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased significantly at 1 and 12 months after surgery. Patients without T2-signal hyperintensity on imaging showed a MAP reduction at 12 months postoperatively, whereas those with T2-signal hyperintensity showed a transient MAP reduction at 1 month postoperatively before returning to preoperative values. At 12 months after surgery, 24 of 97 patients (24.7%) with initially uncontrolled hypertension had controlled BP values with significant reduction of MAP, systolic BP, and diastolic BP. Including the present study, 5 articles were eligible for systematic review, with all reporting a BP decrease in patients with CSM after decompression. Analysis of our retrospective cohort and a systematic review suggest that cervical surgical decompression reduces BP in some patients with CSM. However, this improvement is less apparent in patients with preoperative spinal cord T2-signal hyperintensity.

Diabetes Does Not Adversely Affect Neurological Recovery and Reduction of Neck Pain After Posterior Decompression Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Results From a Retrospective Multicenter Study of 675 Patients.

Retrospective multicenter study. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of diabetes on surgical outcomes of posterior decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Although some previous studies have reported surgical outcomes of posterior decompression for CSM in diabetic patients, their results were inconsistent. We included 675 patients with CSM who underwent posterior decompression. Patients were divided into diabetic (n = 140) and nondiabetic (n = 535) groups according to the diabetic criteria for glucose intolerance. Surgical outcomes as assessed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and visual analog scale (VAS) for neck pain were compared between groups. Subsequently, the functional outcomes of diabetic patients were compared between the mild (n = 131) and moderately severe (n = 9) groups. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year after surgery. Compared with the nondiabetic group, the diabetic group showed lower pre- and postoperative JOA scores (P = 0.025 and P = 0.001, respectively) and a lower JOA score recovery rate (RR) (P = 0.009). However, the preoperative-to-postoperative changes in JOA scores in the diabetic and nondiabetic groups were not significantly different (P = 0.988). Pre- and postoperative VAS for neck pain and postoperative reduction of neck pain were comparable between groups (P = 0.976, P = 0.913 and P = 0.688, respectively). Although statistical analysis was not performed due to the small underpowered sample size, functional outcomes assessed by the JOA score RR (43.3 ± 37.1% vs. 45.3 ± 33.9%) and preoperative-to-postoperative changes in JOA scores (3.0 ± 2.2 vs. 2.7 ± 2.5) were similar between the mild and moderately severe diabetes groups. CSM patients with diabetes experienced improvements in neurological function and neck pain as a result of posterior decompression to the same extent seen in patients without diabetes.Level of Evidence: 3.

Reliability of pre-operative diffusion tensor imaging parameter measurements of the cervical spine in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

The present study assessed test–retest and inter-observer reliability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), as well as the agreement among measurement methods. A total 34 patients (12 men, 22 women; mean age, 58.7 [range 45–79] years) who underwent surgical decompression for CSM, with pre-operative DTI scans available, were retrospectively enrolled. Four observers independently measured fractional anisotropy (FA) values twice, using three different measurement methods. Test–retest and inter-observer reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Overall, inter-observer agreements varied according to spinal cord level and the measurement methods used, and ranged from poor to excellent agreement (ICC = 0.374–0.821), with relatively less agreement for the sagittal region of interest (ROI) method. The radiology resident and neuro-radiologist group showed excellent test–retest reliability at almost every spinal cord level (ICC = 0.887–0.997), but inter-observer agreements varied from fair to good (ICC = 0.404–0.747). Despite excellent test–retest reliability of the ROI measurements, FA measurements in patients with CSM varied widely in terms of inter-observer reliability. Therefore, DTI parameter data should be interpreted carefully when applied clinically.

The ratio of C2–C7 Cobb angle to T1 slope is an effective parameter for the selection of posterior surgical approach for patients with multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy

BackgroundTo our knowledge, laminectomy with fusion (LCF) and laminoplasty alone (LP) are both effective posterior surgical approaches for decompression of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, which one is suitable for patients has no standard answer. This study estimated whether the ratio of C2–C7 Cobb angle to T1 slope (CL/T1S) could be an indication of posterior surgical approach. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 128 patients with at least 6 months of follow-up who underwent LCF or LP. Radiological measurements, including C2–C7 Cobb angle, decompressed Cobb angle, T1 slope, cervical sagittal vertical axis, and curvature index (CI), and clinical outcomes, including Japanese Orthopedic Association score and visual analogue scale were evaluated. ROC curve analysis was used to identify discriminative power of CL/T1S ratio to predict kyphotic deformity and severe lordosis loss. The t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to evaluate the difference between LCF and LP. Kruskal–Wallis H – test and ANOVA were used to evaluate the difference among different ratio CL/T1S groups. ResultsThe cervical lordosis decreased after LCF or LP (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Based on ROC curve analysis, CL/T1S ratio had a good discriminative power to predict kyphotic deformity and severe lordosis loss (AUC = 0.70, AUC = 0.88, respectively). According to CI value changes, cervical lordosis losses in group LP were larger than that in group LCF (p = 0.006). However, there was no significant difference in CI changes of fair-ratio CL/T1S group between LCF and LP. For patients with low CL/T1S ratio or high CL/T1S ratio, CI changes in group LP were greater than that in group LCF (p = 0.037, p = 0.042, respectively). ConclusionsCL/T1S ratio could be an indication of posterior surgical approach. Compared with LP, LCF reduces postoperative cervical lordosis losses in low-ratio and high-ratio CL/T1S groups.

Comparative study of curative effect of spinal endoscopic surgery and anterior cervical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of endoscopic cervical spinal surgery with anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). A total of forty-six CSM patients who were admitted to the Medical School of Chinese PLA and treated with endoscopic spine surgery or ACDF from January 2015 to June 2017 were collected. The patients were divided into the spinal endoscopy group and the ACDF group, according to the operation methods. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization stay of the two groups were recorded and compared. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before operation, three months, and one year after operation were recorded for intra-group and inter-group comparison. The improvement rates of JOA were compared between the two groups to evaluate the clinical efficacy. There were twenty-two cases in the spinal endoscopy group and twenty-four cases in the ACDF group. The mean operation lasting time, intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization stay in the spinal endoscopy group were significantly lower than those in the ACDF group (P<0.05). The postoperative JOA score of the two groups were significantly higher than those before the operation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the JOA score before operation, three months and one year after operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The improvement rates in the spinal endoscopy group were not significantly different compared to those in the ACDF group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the excellent rate (81.8% vs. 83.3%) between the spinal endoscopy group and the ACDF group (P>0.05). The short-term efficacy of spinal endoscopic surgery and ACDF was equal in the treatment of CSM. The spinal endoscopic surgery was significantly superior to ACDF in reducing the operation time, the intraoperative blood loss and the hospitalization stay.

The effect of peri-operative hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the recovery of neurologic function of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: A diffusion tensor imaging study

Objective To observe the clinical effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in the peri-operative period, and to explore its neural mechanism. Methods Eighty patients who underwent surgical decompression for CSM were randomly divided into a hyperbaric oxygen group (n=40) and a control group (n=40). Both groups received cervical laminoplasty and systematic rehabilitation treatment after the surgery, while the hyperbaric oxygen group was additionally provided with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the peri-operative period. The patients′ neurological status was evaluated using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. Both groups received conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) before and 6 months after the surgery. Results After the surgery, both groups gained significant improvement in their average JOA score, with the improvement of the hyperbaric oxygen group significantly greater than in the control group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the average pre-operative JOA score was significantly correlated with the anisotropic fraction (FA) and the apparent dispersion coefficient (ADC) of the compressed spinal cord. Six months after the surgery such correlation still persisted. During the six months, significant increase was observed in the average FA and significant decrease in the average ADC in both groups, with the average FA of the hyperbaric oxygen group (0.726±0.087) significantly higher at the end of the 6 months than that in the control group. The average ADC (1.148±0.079)×10-3 mm2/s) was significantly lower. Conclusions DTI′s quantitative indicators can objectively show changes in the microstructure and pathological state of spinal cords. Exposure to hyperbaric oxygen may relieve ischemia and hypoxia of the spinal cord, promoting the repair of injured neurons and accelerating the regeneration of nerve fibers. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Cervical spine; Spondylosis; Myelopathy; Laminoplasty; Diffusion tensor imaging

P130. Intraoperative neuromonitoring findings are predictive of neurological outcomes after decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) is frequently used by spine surgeons to predict emerging neurological insult and to provide functional feedback prior to development of irreversible neural injury. Despite its widespread use, however, it remains unclear whether various IONM changes are predictive of neurological outcomes in patients who undergo decompression surgery for cervical spondylosis with myelopathy (CSM). PURPOSE To evaluate the prognosticative ability of IONM changes for neurological outcomes after surgical decompression in patients with CSM. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective evaluation of a prospectively enrolled cohort of patients who underwent surgery for CSM at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 39 patients were prospectively enrolled in a CSM trial at our institution and underwent decompression surgery between 2013-17. All patients with available intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential (iSSEP), motor evoked potential (iMEP), and spontaneous electromyography (iEMG) recordings as well as perioperative mJOA scores were included in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale evaluated at 1-year following surgery. METHODS Either univariate ANOVA with post hoc analysis (Student–Newman–Keuls) or t-tests were used to analyze DmJOA in relation to iSSEP, iMEP, and iEMG changes. RESULTS During surgery, iMEPs either improved, remained stable, or decreased in 5, 29 and 5 patients, respectively. iSSEPs improved, remained stable, or decreased in 1, 37 and 1 patient, respectively. Twenty-five patients showed spontaneous iEMG activity, which ultimately resolved in all cases. In patients in whom iMEP decreased, remained stable, or improved, mJOA improved by 1.3, 2.0, and 2.8 points 12 months after surgery, respectively. In contrast to iSSEP (p=0.58), iMEP changes and the presence/absence of iEMG activity during surgery were predictive of DmJOA at 12 months (p=0.02 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Decompressive surgery for CSM is generally associated with positive neurologic outcomes. Our findings suggest that patients in whom iMEPs improve potentially benefit the most, whilst those with iMEP decreases or spontaneous iEMG activity benefit the least. Whether IONM findings can prognosticate the degree of functional recovery after decompressive surgery for CSM will need to be confirmed in larger scale studies. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Rationales for a Urodynamic Study in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia, involuntary detrusor contractions (IDCs), and poor bladder compliance are common urodynamic findings in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). There is little information regarding the role of a urodynamic study after decompression surgery for CSM. Urodynamic study was performed before and 6 months after decompression of CSM. Japanese Orthopaedic Association score for cervical myelopathy and Neck Disability Index functional score were applied. International Prostate Symptom Score was applied in male patients, and 6-item Urogenital Distress Inventory was applied in female patients. Mean patient age was 61.3 years. Final follow-up was obtained in 17 of 32 patients. Neurogenic bladder was confirmed in 11 (64.7%) patients, with 7 patients having poor bladder compliance, 3 patients having IDCs, and 6 patients having detrusor sphincter dyssynergia. Poor bladder compliance was normalized in 4 of 7 patients. IDCs disappeared in 2 (phasic IDCs) of 3 patients and improved in 1 (terminal IDC) patient. Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia markedly improved in 4 of 6 patients. Bladder compliance in 17 patients was 45.52 ± 23.71 before decompression surgery and 77.07 ± 39.85 after decompression surgery (P= 0.004). Both Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Neck Disability Index scores improved (P= 0.007 and P= 0.001, respectively). International Prostate Symptom Score and 6-item Urogenital Distress Inventory were not changed 6 months after surgery. Neurogenic bladder could be partially controlled in patients with CSM after surgical decompression. The neurogenic component in the urodynamic study findings varied. Depending on the findings, further appropriate urologic treatments after neurologic decompression surgery should be considered.

Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy in the Elderly: Outcomes in Patients Aged 80 Years or Older.

Retrospective multicenter study. We aimed to assess the outcomes following posterior cervical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in a large sample of patients older than 80 years. Although age is a predictor of surgical outcomes for CSM, most previous studies have only investigated the effect of age for patients aged 65 to 75 years, and surgical outcomes remain unclear for older patients. Patients older than 50 years who underwent posterior cervical decompression for CSM were enrolled from 17 institutions. The patients were grouped into a young-old group (<80 yrs old) and an old-old group (≥80 yrs). Clinical information, comorbidities, perioperative complications, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and radiographic parameters were compared between the two groups. All patients were followed for at least 1 year after surgery. The young-old and old-old groups included 491 and 77 patients, respectively. The JOA score and quality of life measured by JOACMEQ improved significantly after surgery in both groups. Compared with the young-old group, the old-old group had lower preoperative JOA scores (9.6 vs. 11.0), lower final JOA scores (12.6 vs. 14.0), and lower recovery rates (42% vs. 50%). However, there were no significant differences in perioperative complications or in the VAS scores at the final assessments. The old-old group had a higher mean preoperative sagittal Cobb angle at C2-C5, though this was not statistically significant postoperatively. Posterior decompression surgery is safe and beneficial for patients older than 80 years with CSM, despite having a more limited neurological recovery compared with younger patients. 3.

Does Posterior Cervical Decompression Conducted by Junior Surgeons Affect Clinical Outcomes in the Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy? Results From a Multicenter Study.

Study Design:Retrospective multicenter study.Objectives:To evaluate the outcomes of posterior cervical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) when performed by board-certified spine (BCS) or non-BCS (NBCS) surgeons.Methods:We reviewed outcomes for 675 patients who underwent surgery for CSM, were followed at least 1 year after surgery, and were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and by the visual analog scale (VAS) for the neck. Cervical alignment was assessed on radiographs by C2-C7 angles, and range of motion (ROM) by extension minus flexion C2-C7 angles. We compared outcomes for BCS surgeons, who must meet several requirements, including experience in more than 300 spinal surgeries, and for NBCS surgeons.Results:BCS surgeons performed 432 of 675 laminoplasties. NBCS surgeons were primary in 243 surgeries, of which 187 were directly supervised by a BCS surgeon. BCS surgeons required significantly less time in surgery (98.0 ± 39.5 vs 108.1 ± 49.7 min; P < .01). BCS and NBCS surgeons had comparable perioperative complications rates, and preoperative-to-postoperative changes in JOA scores (2.9 ± 2.1 vs 3.1 ± 2.3; P = .40) and VAS (−1.5 ± 2.9 vs −1.4 ± 2.5; P = .96). Lordotic cervical alignment and ROM were maintained after operations by both groups.Conclusions:Surgical outcomes such as functional recovery, complication rates, and cervical dynamics were comparable between the BCS and NBCS groups. Thus, posterior cervical decompression for CSM is safe and effective when performed by junior surgeons who have been trained and supervised by experienced spine surgeons.

The Effect of Age on the Benefits of Early Decompression for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Cervical myelopathy is the most common cause of acquired spinal cord dysfunction in people aged >55 years. Advanced age and duration of symptoms have been implicated in the literature as negative prognostic indicators for postoperative functional improvement, but very few studies have evaluated the interaction of these factors. We retrospectively reviewed 125 patients who underwent surgery for cervical myelopathy. Patients were stratified according to age greater or less than 65 years and duration of symptoms of greater or less than 12 and 24 months. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Nurick score. Simple regression and multiple regression analyses were done, controlling for sex, preoperative Nurick score, surgical approach, smoking status, diabetes status, prior surgery, number of levels fused, ethanol use, and signal change on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The average change in Nurick score in all patients was 1.36, with a significant difference between patients with symptoms for <24 months and those with symptoms for >24 months (1.54 vs 0.98, P = .03). Multiple regression analysis revealed that older patients had a significant difference at 24 months (1.69 vs 1.25, P = .01), whereas younger patients showed slightly lower improvement overall and a change in Nurick score at both thresholds that was statistically nonsignificant.

Functional Recovery of Spinal Cord and Cranial Nerve of Patient Before and After Cervical Spinal Canal Decompression Surgery

To investigate the recovery of neurological function of limbs and anal sphincter after surgical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). A retrospective study of CSM patients who had spinal canal decompression surgery to evaluate the neurological functional recovery of the upper and lower limbs and anal sphincter before and after the surgery. After the surgery, the overall neurological function of patients was improved and the average recovery rate was high. The neurological improvement was statistically significant at three months postoperatively, and reached the plateau at six months postoperatively. Most of the patients with CSM undergoing surgical decompression have improved neurological functions.

Indication for hypertrophy posterior longitudinal ligament removal in anterior decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

The retrospective study aimed to investigate the indication for hypertrophy posterior longitudinal ligament (HPLL) removal in anterior decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). A total of 138 consecutive patients with CSM were divided into 2 groups with developmental cervical stenosis (DCS) (group S) and non-DCS (group N), according to the Pavlov ratio. These 2 groups were subdivided into 2 further subgroups, according to whether HPLL was removed or preserved: group SR (49 patients) and group SP (32 patients) in group S, group NR (21 patients) and group NP (36 patients) in group N. The modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (mJOA), the modified recovery rate (mRR), quality of life (QoL), and relevant clinical data were used for clinical and radiological evaluation. The mJOA scores improved from 7.3 ± 2.2 to 15.0 ± 1.8 in the SR group and from 7.9 ± 2.3 to 14.2 ± 1.5 in the SP group (P = .036), with postoperative QoL significantly higher in the SR group than the SP group. A reduction in the diameter of enlarged spinal canals occurred at a significantly faster rate in the SP group compared with the SR group (P = .002). Multivariate regression analyses showed removal of HPLL correlated with mJOA scores (coefficient = 7.337, P = .002), mRR (%) (coefficient = 9.117, P = .005), PCS (coefficient = 12.129, P < .001), and MCS (coefficient = 14.31, P < .001) in the S group at 24 months postoperatively, while removal of HPLL did not correlate with clinical outcomes in the N group. The HPLL should, therefore, be removed when mobility was reduced and the spinal cord remained compressed after anterior decompression procedures in the patients with DCS. However, in non-DCS patients, it remains unclear as to whether removal of HPLL provides any clinical benefit, thus, HPLL removal may not be necessary.