Radiological Study Of Single-level Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy In C5/6 And C6/7 Segments

Objectives:By studying the imaging characteristics of C5/6 and C6/7 single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)on DR,CT and MRI,the anatomical parameters,static and dynamic factors of spinal cord compression and the difference of spinal cord damage were analyzed.MethodsThe imaging data of 85 patients with C5/6 or C6/7 single-level CSM who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)from January 2017 to July 2021 were collected.There were 57 patients with C5/6 single-level CSM,29 males and 28 females,aged from 27 to 76 years(51.16±10.71 years).There were 28 patients with C6/7 single-segment CSM,15 males and 13 females,aged from 38 to 72 years(53.04±9.61 years).The imaging indexes measured by cervical DR,CT and MRI include anatomic parameters(cervical curvature,spinous process length and Pavlov ratio),static factors(intervertebral disc degeneration,ligamentum flavum hypertrophy,osteophytes and cervical spondylolisthesis),dynamic factors(cervical range of motion(ROM),cervical segmental ROM,cervical instability and ossification of the nuchal ligament),spinal cord compression(compression position,compression nature and compression degree and spinal cord signal changes).ResultsThere were no significant differences in gender,age,height and weight between 2 groups(P>0.05).In terms of anatomical parameters,there were no significant differences in cervical curvature,spinous process length and Pavlov ratio between the two groups(P>0.05).In terms of static factors,there were statistical differences in cervical spondylolisthesis and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy between the two groups(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in osteophytes and intervertebral disc degeneration between the two groups(P>0.05).In terms of dynamic factors,there were statistical differences in cervical ROM,C5/6 segmental ROM,cervical instability and ossification of the nuchal ligament between the two groups(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in compression position and spinal cord signal changes between 2 groups(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the compression nature and degree between the two groups(P>0.05).ConclusionC5/6 single-segment CSM is prone to cervical spondylolisthesis,cervical instability,ossification of the nuchal ligament and spinal cord signal changes,while C6/7 single-segment CSM is prone to be compressed by ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.Biomechanical factors have significant differences in the pathogenesis of the two.