Severe Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Research Articles

Guidelines for the Management of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and Spinal Cord Injury: An Introduction to a Focus Issue.

Study Design:Introduction to a guidelines project.Objectives:The objective of this focus issue is to present guidelines that outline how to best manage patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and spinal cord injury (SCI). Topics addressed in this focus issue include: 1) management strategies for patients with mild, moderate and severe DCM; and 2a) timing of surgical decompression; b) the use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate; c) the type and timing of anticoagulation strategies; d) the role of magnetic resonance imaging in clinical decision making and outcome prediction; and e) the type and timing of rehabilitation in patients with SCI.Methods:Systematic reviews were conducted to address key clinical questions and to synthesize the current body of evidence. A multidisciplinary guideline development group used the results of these reviews, along with their clinical expertise, to develop clinical practice guidelines, in a process that adhered to methodology proposed by the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group.Results:The multidisciplinary guideline development group combined the systematic review findings with their clinical expertise and opinions to formulate recommendations on how to manage patients with DCM and SCI.Conclusions:These guidelines will serve as tools to assist clinicians in their decision making by offering a perspective that combines the available evidence, expertise from a variety of clinicians, and patient values.

A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Recommendations for Patients With Mild, Moderate, and Severe Disease and Nonmyelopathic Patients With Evidence of Cord Compression.

Study Design:Guideline development.Objectives:The objective of this study is to develop guidelines that outline how to best manage (1) patients with mild, moderate, and severe myelopathy and (2) nonmyelopathic patients with evidence of cord compression with or without clinical symptoms of radiculopathy.Methods:Five systematic reviews of the literature were conducted to synthesize evidence on disease natural history; risk factors of disease progression; the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of nonoperative and surgical management; the impact of preoperative duration of symptoms and myelopathy severity on treatment outcomes; and the frequency, timing, and predictors of symptom development. A multidisciplinary guideline development group used this information, and their clinical expertise, to develop recommendations for the management of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).Results:Our recommendations were as follows: (1) “We recommend surgical intervention for patients with moderate and severe DCM.” (2) “We suggest offering surgical intervention or a supervised trial of structured rehabilitation for patients with mild DCM. If initial nonoperative management is pursued, we recommend operative intervention if there is neurological deterioration and suggest operative intervention if the patient fails to improve.” (3) “We suggest not offering prophylactic surgery for non-myelopathic patients with evidence of cervical cord compression without signs or symptoms of radiculopathy. We suggest that these patients be counseled as to potential risks of progression, educated about relevant signs and symptoms of myelopathy, and be followed clinically.” (4) “Non-myelopathic patients with cord compression and clinical evidence of radiculopathy with or without electrophysiological confirmation are at a higher risk of developing myelopathy and should be counselled about this risk. We suggest offering either surgical intervention or nonoperative treatment consisting of close serial follow-up or a supervised trial of structured rehabilitation. In the event of myelopathic development, the patient should be managed according to the recommendations above.”Conclusions:These guidelines will promote standardization of care for patients with DCM, decrease the heterogeneity of management strategies and encourage clinicians to make evidence-informed decisions.

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

Introduction Patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) may be severely impaired, have reduced quality of life and present with deleterious signs and symptoms. Patients with severe myelopathy (mJOA < 12) often improve following surgery; however, some may not achieve a minimum clinically important difference (MCID), whereas others may have exceptional outcomes. Due to varying prognoses among this group, it is important to predict outcome in these patients and use this knowledge to manage expectations. This study aims to determine the most important clinical predictors of surgical outcome in patients with severe CSM. Material and Methods Of the 757 patients enrolled in the CSM-North America or International studies, 254 (33.55%) presented with severe myelopathy as classified by a mJOA < 12 points. A prediction model was developed to distinguish between patients who improve to mild or moderate myelopathy postoperatively (mJOA≥12) and those who remain significantly impaired (mJOA < 12). Univariate analyses evaluated the relationship between this outcome and various clinical predictors. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to formulate the final prediction model and to compute the relative risks. A secondary model was constructed to predict which patients would achieve a MCID on the mJOA, defined as a change score of three or more points in patients with severe disease. Results Our cohort consisted of 153 men and 101 women with ages ranging from 28 to 86 (mean: 60.09 ± 12.06 years). The mean preoperative mJOA was 9.42 ± 1.67. One hundred and fifty-four (60.63%) patients improved to a score ≥12 at 1-year postoperative, whereas 145 (57.09%) achieved a MCID on the mJOA. Baseline severity score (RR: 1.07, 95%C.I.: 1.02–1.13), hyperreflexia (RR: 0.83, 95%C.I.: 0.72–0.96), lower limb spasticity (RR: 0.75, 95%C.I.: 0.65–0.86), and age (RR: 0.97, 95%C.I.: 0.95–0.99) were significant predictors of a mJOA≥12 following univariate analysis. The final model consisted of three statistically significant variables and one clinically relevant predictor: baseline severity score (RR: 1.09, 95%C.I.: 1.03–1.15), duration of symptoms (RR: 0.94, 95%C.I.: 0.89–0.99), co-morbidity score (RR: 0.96, 95%C.I.: 0.91–1.00) and the sign lower limb spasticity (RR: 0.76, 95%C.I.: 0.66–0.87). The AUC for this model was 0.75 (95%C.I.: 0.67, 0.83). Improvement by the MCID could not be effectively predicted by a combination of clinical variables. Conclusion Severe patients were more likely to achieve a score ≥12 on the mJOA if they had a higher preoperative mJOA score and a shorter duration of symptoms; a lower co-morbidity score (fewer and less severe concomitant disease); and did not have lower limb spasticity.

Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes after Surgical Decompression in Patients with Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Results from the Prospective, Multicenter AOSpine International Study on 479 Patients

Introduction Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is an umbrella term that includes cervical spondylotic myelopathy, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and other forms of degenerative changes to the spinal axis. The surgical management of OPLL can be technically challenging for spine surgeons and may result in a higher incidence of perioperative complications than surgery for other forms of DCM. It is unclear whether surgery is equally effective and safe in patients with OPLL as it is in other forms of DCM. This study aims to compare the impact of cervical decompressive surgery on functional status and Quality of Life (QOL) outcomes in patients with OPLL and those with other forms of DCM. Material and Methods 479 surgical patients with symptomatic DCM were prospectively enrolled in the CSM-International study at global 16 sites. Patients’ functional and neurological status were evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Assessment scale (mJOA) and the Nurick score. QOL was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, including the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Short- Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Improvements in functional status and QOL were assessed between baseline and 1- and 2-year follow-ups, and relative gains were compared between patients with and without OPLL. A sub-analysis was conducted in patients with “severe” myelopathy (a preoperative mJOA < 12) to determine whether surgical outcomes differed between patients with severe OPLL and those with other forms of severe DCM. Improvements in preoperative functional status and QOL at 2-years follow-up were compared between the two diagnosis groups, while controlling for relevant confounding variables. Results Of 479 patients, 135 (28.2%) exhibited evidence of OPLL and 344 (71.8%) displayed other forms of degenerative changes. There were no significant differences in demographics, surgical approach, or baseline severity scores between patients with OPLL and those with other forms of DCM. Patients with OPLL achieved similar functional outcomes at 1- and 2-years following surgery when compared with patients with other forms of DCM. With respect to QOL, the NDI and most subscales of the SF-36, there were no differences between the two diagnosis groups. However, the SF-36 Role Limitation Physical subscale ( p = 0.0091) at 1-year and the SF-36 Social Functioning subscale at 1- and 2-years ( p = 0.014, p = 0.018) were significantly lower in OPLL patients. In patients with severe myelopathy (preoperative mJOA < 12), 49 (28.65%) presented with OPLL and 122 (71.35%) with other forms of DCM. There were comparable improvements between preoperative and 2-year postoperative scores across all outcome measures (mJOA, Nurick, NDI, and SF-36) in patients with severe myelopathy due to OPLL and other forms of DCM. Finally, there was a significantly higher rate of perioperative complications in the OPLL group ( p = 0.054). This significant difference was mainly due to a higher incidence of superficial infection ( p = 0.0067), new neck pain ( p = 0.079) and dural tear ( p = 0.076) in the OPLL group. However, rates of neurological complication did not significantly differ ( p = 0.73). Conclusion Surgical decompression for the treatment of OPLL results in significant improvements in functional status and QOL, comparable to gains seen in other forms of DCM.

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

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