Level Diagnosis of Cervical Compressive Myelopathy: Signs, Symptoms, and Lesions Levels

Abstract

Background: To elucidate signs and symptoms corresponding to each vertebral level for level-specific diagnoses.

Methods: We studied 106 patients with cervical compressive myelopathy. Patients who showed a single compressive site on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were selected, and signs, symptoms, and the levels of the MRI lesions were studied.

Results: Five of 12 patients (41.7%) with C4-5 intervertebral level lesions showed decreased or absent biceps and brachioradialis reflexes, while 4 of these patients (33.3%) showed generalized hyperreflexia. In comparison, 5 of 24 patients (20.8%) with C5-6 intervertebral level lesions showed decreased or absent triceps reflexes; however, 9 of these patients (37.5%) showed decreased or absent biceps and brachioradialis reflexes.

Conclusions: C4-5 intervertebral level lesions not only showed C6 segment signs but also showed more rostral segment signs. Similarly, C5-6 intervertebral level lesions not only showed C7 segment signs but also showed C6 or more rostral segment signs.




J Neurol Res. 2013;3(5):135-141
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jnr236w