Cervical Myelopathy: Diagnosis, Contemporary Treatment, and Outcomes

Cervical myelopathy is a clinical syndrome caused by compression of the spinal cord between the levels of the C1 and T1 vertebrae. Its clinical presentation can mimic other degenerative and neurological pathologies, making diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis is confirmed with appropriate imaging studies carefully correlated with history and physical examination. Treatment options are focused on decompression of the spinal canal from an anterior, posterior, or combined anterior and posterior surgical approach depending on the location of compression and patient factors. Outcomes are favorable if treatment is performed prior to severe symptom onset. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Cervical myelopathy is a clinical syndrome caused by compression of the spinal cord between the C1 and T1 vertebrae. Diagnosis can be challenging due to its resemblance to other degenerative and neurological conditions. Confirmatory diagnosis requires careful correlation of appropriate imaging studies with patient history and physical examination. Treatment options focus on spinal canal decompression through anterior, posterior, or combined surgical approaches depending on the location of compression and patient factors. Favorable outcomes are observed when treatment is performed prior to the onset of severe symptoms.