Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarker of Axon Loss Reflects Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Severity

• Published in: Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Pa. 1976), 2016-05, Vol.41 (9), p.751-756
• Main Authors: Murphy, Rory K J, Sun, Peng, Xu, Junqian, Wang, Yong, Sullivan, Samir, Gamble, Paul, Wagner, Joanne, Wright, Neill N, Dorward, Ian G, Riew, Daniel, Santiago, Paul, Kelly, Michael P, Trinkaus, Kathryn, Ray, Wilson Z, Song, Sheng-Kwei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Axons - pathology; Cervical Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Cervical Vertebrae - surgery; Cohort Studies; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Diffusion Tensor Imaging - methods; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Spinal Cord Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Cord Diseases - surgery; Spondylosis - diagnostic imaging; Spondylosis - surgery
• ISSN: 0362-2436; 1528-1159
• DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001337

STUDY DESIGN.A prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE.In this study, we employed diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) to quantitatively assess axon/myelin injury, cellular inflammation, and axonal loss of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) spinal cords. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.A major shortcoming in the management of CSM is the lack of an effective diagnostic approach to stratify treatments and to predict outcomes. No current clinical diagnostic imaging approach is capable of accurately reflecting underlying spinal cord pathologies. METHODS.Seven patients with mild (mJOA ≥15), five patients with moderate (14≥mJOA ≥11), and two patients with severe (mJOA