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Freund P, Boller V, Emmenegger TM, Akbar M, Hupp M, Pfender N, Wheeler-Kingshott CAMG, Cohen-Adad J, Fehlings MG, Curt A, Seif M. Quantifying neurodegeneration of the cervical cord and brain in degenerative cervical myelopathy: A multicentre study using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Eur J Neurol 2024:e16297. [PMID: 38713645 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Simultaneous assessment of neurodegeneration in both the cervical cord and brain across multiple centres can enhance the effectiveness of clinical trials. Thus, this study aims to simultaneously assess microstructural changes in the cervical cord and brain above the stenosis in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a multicentre study. METHODS We applied voxelwise analysis with a probabilistic brain/spinal cord template embedded in statistical parametric mappin (SPM-BSC) to process multi parametric mapping (MPM) including effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*), longitudinal relaxation rate (R1), and magnetization transfer (MT), which are indirectly sensitive to iron and myelin content. Regression analysis was conducted to establish associations between neurodegeneration and clinical impairment. Thirty-eight DCM patients (mean age ± SD = 58.45 ± 11.47 years) and 38 healthy controls (mean age ± SD = 41.18 ± 12.75 years) were recruited at University Hospital Balgrist, Switzerland and Toronto Western Hospital, Canada. RESULTS Remote atrophy was observed in the cervical cord (p = 0.002) and in the left thalamus (0.026) of the DCM group. R1 was decreased in the periaqueductal grey matter (p = 0.014), thalamus (p = 0.001), corpus callosum (p = 0.0001), and cranial corticospinal tract (p = 0.03). R2* was increased in the primary somatosensory cortices (p = 0.008). Sensory impairments were associated with increased iron-sensitive R2* in the thalamus and periaqueductal grey matter in DCM. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous assessment of the spinal cord and brain revealed DCM-induced demyelination, iron deposition, and atrophy. The extent of remote neurodegeneration was associated with sensory impairment, highlighting the intricate and expansive nature of microstructural neurodegeneration in DCM, reaching beyond the stenosis level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Viveka Boller
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tim M Emmenegger
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Muhammad Akbar
- Spine Program Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Markus Hupp
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nikolai Pfender
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Angela Michela Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, London, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Digital Neuroscience Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Julien Cohen-Adad
- NeuroPoly Lab, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Functional Neuroimaging Unit, CRIUGM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Spine Program Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maryam Seif
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Büeler S, Freund P, Kessler TM, Liechti MD, David G. Improved inter-subject alignment of the lumbosacral cord for group-level in vivo gray and white matter assessments: A scan-rescan MRI study at 3T. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301449. [PMID: 38626171 PMCID: PMC11020367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables the investigation of pathological changes in gray and white matter at the lumbosacral enlargement (LSE) and conus medullaris (CM). However, conducting group-level analyses of MRI metrics in the lumbosacral spinal cord is challenging due to variability in CM length, lack of established image-based landmarks, and unknown scan-rescan reliability. This study aimed to improve inter-subject alignment of the lumbosacral cord to facilitate group-level analyses of MRI metrics. Additionally, we evaluated the scan-rescan reliability of MRI-based cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics. METHODS Fifteen participants (10 healthy volunteers and 5 patients with spinal cord injury) underwent axial T2*-weighted and diffusion MRI at 3T. We assessed the reliability of spinal cord and gray matter-based landmarks for inter-subject alignment of the lumbosacral cord, the inter-subject variability of MRI metrics before and after adjusting for the CM length, the intra- and inter-rater reliability of CSA measurements, and the scan-rescan reliability of CSA measurements and DTI metrics. RESULTS The slice with the largest gray matter CSA as an LSE landmark exhibited the highest reliability, both within and across raters. Adjusting for the CM length greatly reduced the inter-subject variability of MRI metrics. The intra-rater, inter-rater, and scan-rescan reliability of MRI metrics were the highest at and around the LSE (scan-rescan coefficient of variation <3% for CSA measurements and <7% for DTI metrics within the white matter) and decreased considerably caudal to it. CONCLUSIONS To facilitate group-level analyses, we recommend using the slice with the largest gray matter CSA as a reliable LSE landmark, along with an adjustment for the CM length. We also stress the significance of the anatomical location within the lumbosacral cord in relation to the reliability of MRI metrics. The scan-rescan reliability values serve as valuable guides for power and sample size calculations in future longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvan Büeler
- Department of Neuro-Urology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas M. Kessler
- Department of Neuro-Urology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martina D. Liechti
- Department of Neuro-Urology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gergely David
- Department of Neuro-Urology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Ge Y, Zhao R, Guo X, Liang M, Xue Y. Systematic investigation of cerebellar functional alterations and their association with surgical outcomes in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy: a resting-state fMRI study. Radiol Med 2024; 129:280-290. [PMID: 38302829 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-024-01776-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the changes in cerebellar neural activity and cerebellar-cortical functional connectivity (FC) in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS In this study, we collected clinical data and resting-state fMRI data from 54 DCM patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). We analyzed voxel-wise regional fMRI metrics, including amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), fractional ALFF, regional homogeneity, functional connectivity density, and voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity. In analysis 1, we examined the differences in regional fMRI metrics within the cerebellum between the DCM patient group and the healthy control group, as well as their correlation with preoperative neurological status and prognosis. In analysis 2, we investigated cerebellar-cortical functional connectivity differences between the two groups and their correlation with preoperative neurological status and prognosis. Lastly, in analysis 3, we explored the internetwork connectivity between the 'cerebellar-SMN' (sensorimotor network) system, examined the between-group differences, and investigated its correlation with preoperative neurological status and prognosis. RESULTS (1) Relative to HCs, DCM patients exhibited functional alterations in wide-spread cerebellar regions; (2) DCM patients exhibited altered cerebellar-cortical FC which was associated with the preoperative neurological status and prognosis; (3) DCM patients exhibited altered internetwork connectivity between 'cerebellar-SMN' system which was associated with duration of symptom. CONCLUSION Wide-spread cerebellar functional alterations occur in DCM pathogenesis and the deficits in cerebellar-SMN functional connectivity may be beneficial in future studies for predicting surgical outcomes in patients with DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Ge
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xing Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Cangzhou, 061001, China
| | - Meng Liang
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300203, China
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for China, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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Khan AF, Mohammadi E, Haynes G, Hameed S, Rohan M, Anderson DB, Weber KA, Muhammad F, Smith ZA. Evaluating tissue injury in cervical spondylotic myelopathy with spinal cord MRI: a systematic review. Eur Spine J 2024; 33:133-154. [PMID: 37926719 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-023-07990-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative condition that leads to loss of cervical spinal cord (CSC) integrity. Various spinal cord Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods can identify and characterize the extent of this damage. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the diagnostic, biomarker, and predictive utilities of different spinal cord MRI methods in clinical research studies of CSM. The aim was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the progress in this direction for future studies and effective diagnosis and management of CSM. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed and EMBASE from 2010 to 2022 according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies with non-human subjects, less than 3T magnetic field strength, non-clinical design, or not quantitatively focusing on the structural integrity of CSC were excluded. The extracted data from each study included demographics, disease severity, MRI machine characteristics, quantitative metrics, and key findings in terms of diagnostic, biomarker, and predictive utilities of each MRI method. The risk of bias was performed using the guide from AHRQ. The quality of evidence was assessed separately for each type of utility for different MRI methods using GRADE. RESULTS Forty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, utilizing diffusion-weighted imaging (DTI) (n = 39), magnetization transfer (MT) (n = 6), MR spectroscopy (n = 3), and myelin water imaging (n = 1), as well as a combination of MRI methods (n = 12). The metric fractional anisotropy (FA) showed the highest potential in all facets of utilities, followed by mean diffusivity. Other promising metrics included MT ratio and intracellular volume fraction, especially in multimodal studies. However, the level of evidence for these promising metrics was low due to a small number of studies. Some studies, mainly DTI, also reported the usefulness of spinal cord MRI in mild CSM. CONCLUSIONS Spinal cord MRI methods can potentially facilitate the diagnosis and management of CSM by quantitatively interrogating the structural integrity of CSC. DTI is the most promising MRI method, and other techniques have also shown promise, especially in multimodal configurations. However, this field is in its early stages, and more studies are needed to establish the usefulness of spinal cord MRI in CSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Fahim Khan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 N Lincoln Blvd, Suite 4000, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Esmaeil Mohammadi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 N Lincoln Blvd, Suite 4000, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Grace Haynes
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA
| | - Sanaa Hameed
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 N Lincoln Blvd, Suite 4000, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Michael Rohan
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - David B Anderson
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kenneth A Weber
- Systems Neuroscience and Pain Laboratory, Division of Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Fauziyya Muhammad
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 N Lincoln Blvd, Suite 4000, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Zachary A Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 N Lincoln Blvd, Suite 4000, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Lebret A, Lévy S, Pfender N, Farshad M, Altorfer FCS, Callot V, Curt A, Freund P, Seif M. Investigation of perfusion impairment in degenerative cervical myelopathy beyond the site of cord compression. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22660. [PMID: 38114733 PMCID: PMC10730822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49896-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine tissue-specific blood perfusion impairment of the cervical cord above the compression site in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging. A quantitative MRI protocol, including structural and IVIM imaging, was conducted in healthy controls and patients. In patients, T2-weighted scans were acquired to quantify intramedullary signal changes, the maximal canal compromise, and the maximal cord compression. T2*-weighted MRI and IVIM were applied in all participants in the cervical cord (covering C1-C3 levels) to determine white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) cross-sectional areas (as a marker of atrophy), and tissue-specific perfusion indices, respectively. IVIM imaging resulted in microvascular volume fraction ([Formula: see text]), blood velocity ([Formula: see text]), and blood flow ([Formula: see text]) indices. DCM patients additionally underwent a standard neurological clinical assessment. Regression analysis assessed associations between perfusion parameters, clinical outcome measures, and remote spinal cord atrophy. Twenty-nine DCM patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. At the level of stenosis, 11 patients showed focal radiological evidence of cervical myelopathy. Above the stenosis level, cord atrophy was observed in the WM (- 9.3%; p = 0.005) and GM (- 6.3%; p = 0.008) in patients compared to healthy controls. Blood velocity (BV) and blood flow (BF) indices were decreased in the ventral horns of the GM (BV: - 20.1%, p = 0.0009; BF: - 28.2%, p = 0.0008), in the ventral funiculi (BV: - 18.2%, p = 0.01; BF: - 21.5%, p = 0.04) and lateral funiculi (BV: - 8.5%, p = 0.03; BF: - 16.5%, p = 0.03) of the WM, across C1-C3 levels. A decrease in microvascular volume fraction was associated with GM atrophy (R = 0.46, p = 0.02). This study demonstrates tissue-specific cervical perfusion impairment rostral to the compression site in DCM patients. IVIM indices are sensitive to remote perfusion changes in the cervical cord in DCM and may serve as neuroimaging biomarkers of hemodynamic impairment in future studies. The association between perfusion impairment and cervical cord atrophy indicates that changes in hemodynamics caused by compression may contribute to the neurodegenerative processes in DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lebret
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Lévy
- CNRS, CRMBM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- APHM, CEMEREM, Hôpital Universitaire Timone, Marseille, France
- MR Research Collaborations, Siemens Healthcare Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nikolai Pfender
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mazda Farshad
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Virginie Callot
- CNRS, CRMBM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- APHM, CEMEREM, Hôpital Universitaire Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Wellcome Trust Center for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maryam Seif
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
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Yang YT, Zhu SJ, Xu ML, Zheng LD, Cao YT, Yuan Q, Zhang K, Zhu R. The biomechanical effect of different types of ossification of the ligamentum flavum on the spinal cord during cervical dynamic activities. Med Eng Phys 2023; 121:104062. [PMID: 37985028 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2023.104062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is thought to be an influential etiology of myelopathy, as thickened ligamentum flavum causes the stenosis of the vertebral canal, which could subsequently compress the spinal cord. Unfortunately, there was little information available on the effects of cervical OLF on spinal cord compression, such as the relationship between the progression of cervical OLF and nervous system symptoms during dynamic cervical spine activities. In this research, a finite element model of C1-C7 including the spinal cord featured by dynamic fluid-structure interaction was reconstructed and utilized to analyze how different types of cervical OLF affect principal strain and stress distribution in spinal cord during spinal activities towards six directions. For patients with cervical OLF, cervical extension induces higher stress within the spinal cord among all directions. From the perspective of biomechanics, extension leads to stress concentration in the lateral corticospinal tracts or the posterior of gray matter. Low energy damage to the spinal cord would be caused by the high and fluctuating stresses during cervical movements to the affected side for patients with unilateral OLF at lower grades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Yang
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Shi-Jie Zhu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Meng-Lei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Liang-Dong Zheng
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yu-Ting Cao
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Qing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Liqun Hospital, Taopu road 910, Shanghai 200333, China.
| | - Rui Zhu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China.
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Khan AF, Haynes G, Mohammadi E, Muhammad F, Hameed S, Smith ZA. Utility of MRI in Quantifying Tissue Injury in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093337. [PMID: 37176777 PMCID: PMC10179707 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a progressive disease that worsens over time if untreated. However, the rate of progression can vary among individuals and may be influenced by various factors, such as the age of the patients, underlying conditions, and the severity and location of the spinal cord compression. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can help slow the progression of CSM and improve symptoms. There has been an increased use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods in diagnosing and managing CSM. MRI methods provide detailed images and quantitative structural and functional data of the cervical spinal cord and brain, allowing for an accurate evaluation of the extent and location of tissue injury. This review aims to provide an understanding of the use of MRI methods in interrogating functional and structural changes in the central nervous system in CSM. Further, we identified several challenges hindering the clinical utility of these neuroimaging methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Fahim Khan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Grace Haynes
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Esmaeil Mohammadi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Fauziyya Muhammad
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Sanaa Hameed
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zachary A Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Chen G, Lin C, Zhu Z, Tong K, Li S, Chen H, Xu Z, Chen N, Liu X, Liu S. Increased blood flow of spinal cord lesion after decompression improves neurological recovery of degenerative cervical myelopathy: an intraoperative ultrasonography-based prospective cohort study. Int J Surg 2023; 109:1149-1157. [PMID: 36999826 PMCID: PMC10389533 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000000361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Surgical decompression is a highly effective therapy for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), but the mechanisms of neurological recovery following decompression remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the spinal cord blood flow status after sufficient decompression by intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and to analyze the correlation between neurological recovery and postdecompressive spinal cord blood perfusion in DCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with multilevel DCM were treated by ultrasound-guided modified French-door laminoplasty using a self-developed rongeur. Neurological function was evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively. Spinal cord compression and cervical canal enlargement before and after surgery were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography. The decompression status was evaluated in real time by intraoperative ultrasonography, while the spinal cord blood flow after sufficient decompression was assessed by CEUS. Patients were categorized as favourable (≥50%) or unfavourable (<50%) recovery according to the recovery rate of the mJOA score at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients were included in the study. The mJOA scores were significantly improved in all patients from 11.2±2.1 preoperatively to 15.0±1.1 at 12 months postoperatively, with an average recovery rate of 64.9±16.2%. Computerized tomography and intraoperative ultrasonography confirmed adequate enlargement of the cervical canal and sufficient decompression of the spinal cord, respectively. CEUS revealed that patients with favourable neurological recovery had a greater increased blood flow signal in the compressive spinal cord segment after decompression. CONCLUSIONS In DCM, intraoperative CEUS can clearly reflect spinal cord blood flow. Patients with increased blood perfusion of the spinal cord lesion immediately after surgical decompression tended to achieve greater neurological recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Innovation Platform of Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord and Nerve Injury, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Chengkai Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Innovation Platform of Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord and Nerve Injury, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Zhengya Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Innovation Platform of Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord and Nerve Injury, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Kuileung Tong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Innovation Platform of Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord and Nerve Injury, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Shiming Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Innovation Platform of Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord and Nerve Injury, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Hongkun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Innovation Platform of Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord and Nerve Injury, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Zuofeng Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ningning Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Innovation Platform of Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord and Nerve Injury, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
| | - Xizhe Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
| | - Shaoyu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology/Orthopaedic Research Institute, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
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Seif M, Leutritz T, Schading S, Emmengger T, Curt A, Weiskopf N, Freund P. Reliability of multi-parameter mapping (MPM) in the cervical cord: A multi-center multi-vendor quantitative MRI study. Neuroimage 2022; 264:119751. [PMID: 36384206 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MRI based multicenter studies which target neurological pathologies affecting the spinal cord and brain - including spinal cord injury (SCI) - require standardized acquisition protocols and image processing methods. We have optimized and applied a multi-parameter mapping (MPM) protocol that simultaneously covers the brain and the cervical cord within a traveling heads study across six clinical centers (Leutritz et al., 2020). The MPM protocol includes quantitative maps (magnetization transfer saturation (MT), proton density (PD), longitudinal (R1), and effective transverse (R2*) relaxation rates) sensitive to myelination, water content, iron concentration, and morphometric measures, such as cross-sectional cord area. Previously, we assessed the repeatability and reproducibility of the brain MPM data acquired in the five healthy participants who underwent two scan-rescans (Leutritz et al., 2020). This study focuses on the cervical cord MPM data derived from the same acquisitions to determine its repeatability and reproducibility in the cervical cord. MPM matrices of the cervical cord were generated and processed using the hMRI and the spinal cord toolbox. To determine reliability of the cervical MPM data, the intra-site (i.e., scan-rescan) coefficient of variation (CoV), inter-site CoV, and bias within region of interests (C1, C2 and C3 levels) were determined. The range of the mean intra- and inter-site CoV of MT, R1 and PD was between 2.5% and 12%, and between 1.1% and 4.0% for the morphometric measures. In conclusion, the cervical MPM data showed a high repeatability and reproducibility for key imaging biomarkers and hence can be employed as a standardized tool in multi-center studies, including clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Seif
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland; Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Tobias Leutritz
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simon Schading
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland
| | - Tim Emmengger
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaus Weiskopf
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences, Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland; Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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Büeler S, Yiannakas MC, Damjanovski Z, Freund P, Liechti MD, David G. Optimized multi-echo gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging for gray and white matter segmentation in the lumbosacral cord at 3 T. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16498. [PMID: 36192560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20395-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrophy in the spinal cord (SC), gray (GM) and white matter (WM) is typically measured in-vivo by image segmentation on multi-echo gradient-echo magnetic resonance images. The aim of this study was to establish an acquisition and analysis protocol for optimal SC and GM segmentation in the lumbosacral cord at 3 T. Ten healthy volunteers underwent imaging of the lumbosacral cord using a 3D spoiled multi-echo gradient-echo sequence (Siemens FLASH, with 5 echoes and 8 repetitions) on a Siemens Prisma 3 T scanner. Optimal numbers of successive echoes and signal averages were investigated comparing signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values as well as qualitative ratings for segmentability by experts. The combination of 5 successive echoes yielded the highest CNR between WM and cerebrospinal fluid and the highest rating for SC segmentability. The combination of 3 and 4 successive echoes yielded the highest CNR between GM and WM and the highest rating for GM segmentability in the lumbosacral enlargement and conus medullaris, respectively. For segmenting the SC and GM in the same image, we suggest combining 3 successive echoes. For SC or GM segmentation only, we recommend combining 5 or 3 successive echoes, respectively. Six signal averages yielded good contrast for reliable SC and GM segmentation in all subjects. Clinical applications could benefit from these recommendations as they allow for accurate SC and GM segmentation in the lumbosacral cord.
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Zipser CM, Fehlings MG, Margetis K, Curt A, Betz M, Sadler I, Tetreault L, Davies BM. Proposing a Framework to Understand the Role of Imaging in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Enhancement of MRI Protocols Needed for Accurate Diagnosis and Evaluation. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2022; 47:1259-1262. [PMID: 35857708 PMCID: PMC9365266 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000004389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carl M. Zipser
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael G. Fehlings
- Division of Neurosurgery and Spinal Program, University of Toronto and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Betz
- University Spine Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Iwan Sadler
- Myelopathy Support, Myelopathy.org, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lindsay Tetreault
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Health, Graduate Medical Education, New York, NY
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Zhou Y, Shi J. Brain Structural and Functional Dissociated Patterns in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Case-Controlled Retrospective Resting-State fMRI Study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:895348. [PMID: 35785340 PMCID: PMC9240811 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.895348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have shown the whole-brain global functional connectivity density (gFCD) and gray matter volume (GMV) alterations in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). However, no study aimed to investigate the associations between the spatial patterns of GMV and gFCD alterations in patients with DCM. Methods Structural data and resting-state functional MRI data of 35 DCM patients and 35 matched healthy controls were collected to assess their gFCD and GMV and investigate gFCD and GMV alterations in patients with DCM and their spatial pattern associations. Results In our current study, significant gFCD and GMV differences were observed in some regions of the visual system, sensorimotor cortices, and cerebellum between patients with DCM and healthy controls. In our findings, decreased gFCD was found in areas primarily located at the sensorimotor cortices, while increased gFCD was observed primarily within areas located at the visual system and cerebellum. Decreased GMV was seen in the left thalamus, bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA), and left inferior occipital cortices in patients with DCM, while increased GMV was observed in the cerebellum. Conclusion Our findings suggest that structural and functional alterations independently contributed to the neuropathology of DCM. However, longitudinal studies are still needed to further illustrate the associations between structural deficits and functional alterations underlying the onset of brain abnormalities as DCM develops.
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Valošek J, Bednařík P, Keřkovský M, Hluštík P, Bednařík J, Svatkova A. Quantitative MR Markers in Non-Myelopathic Spinal Cord Compression: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:2301. [PMID: 35566426 PMCID: PMC9105390 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Degenerative spinal cord compression is a frequent pathological condition with increasing prevalence throughout aging. Initial non-myelopathic cervical spinal cord compression (NMDC) might progress over time into potentially irreversible degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). While quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques demonstrated the ability to depict intrinsic tissue properties, longitudinal in-vivo biomarkers to identify NMDC patients who will eventually develop DCM are still missing. Thus, we aim to review the ability of qMRI techniques (such as diffusion MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetization transfer (MT) imaging, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)) to serve as prognostic markers in NMDC. While DTI in NMDC patients consistently detected lower fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity at compressed levels, caused by demyelination and axonal injury, MT and 1H-MRS, along with advanced and tract-specific diffusion MRI, recently revealed microstructural alterations, also rostrally pointing to Wallerian degeneration. Recent studies also disclosed a significant relationship between microstructural damage and functional deficits, as assessed by qMRI and electrophysiology, respectively. Thus, tract-specific qMRI, in combination with electrophysiology, critically extends our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of degenerative spinal cord compression and may provide predictive markers of DCM development for accurate patient management. However, the prognostic value must be validated in longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Valošek
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (J.V.); (P.H.)
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Bednařík
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark;
- Department of Radiology, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Miloš Keřkovský
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (J.B.)
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Brno, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Hluštík
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (J.V.); (P.H.)
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Bednařík
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (J.B.)
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Brno, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Svatkova
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark;
- Department of Radiology, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Medicine III, Clinical Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Cui H, Wang Y, Li G, Huang Y, Hu Y. Different Time-frequency Distribution Patterns of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Dual- and Single-level Spinal Cord Compression. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2022; 30:1052-1059. [PMID: 35417350 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2022.3167260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Among patients with cervical myelopathy, the most common level of stenosis at spinal cord of all ages was reported to be between cervical levels C5-6. Previous studies found that time-frequency components (TFCs) of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) possess location information of spinal cord injury (SCI) in single-level deficits in the spinal cord. However, the clinical reality is that there are multiple compressions at multiple spinal cord segments. This study proposed a new algorithm to differentiate distribution patterns of SEP TFCs between the dual-level compression and the corresponding single-level compression, which is potentials in providing precise diagnosis of cervical myelopathy. In the present animal study, a group of rats with dual-level compressive (C5+6) injury to cervical spinal cord was investigated. SEPs were collected at 2 weeks after surgery, while SEP TFCs were calculated. The SEP TFCs under dual-level compression were compared to an existent dataset with one sham control group and three single level compression groups at C4, C5, C6. Behavioral evaluation showed very similar scale of injury severity between individual rats, while histology evaluation confirmed the precise location of injury. According to time-frequency distribution patterns, it showed that the middle-energy components of dual-level showed similar patterns as that of each single-level group. In addition, the low-energy components of the dual-level C5+6 group had the highest correlation with C5 (R=0.3423, p<0.01) and C6 (R=0.4000, p<0.01) groups, but much lower with C4 group (R=0.1071, p=0.012). These results indicated that SEP TFCs components possess information regarding the location of neurological lesion after spinal cord compression. It preliminarily demonstrated that SEP TFCs are likely a useful measure to provide location information of neurological lesions after compression SCI.
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David G, Vallotton K, Hupp M, Curt A, Freund P, Seif M. Extent of cord pathology in the lumbosacral enlargement in non-traumatic versus traumatic spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:639-650. [PMID: 35018824 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compares remote neurodegenerative changes caudal to a cervical injury in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) (i.e., non-traumatic) and incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) patients, using MRI-based tissue area measurements and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Eighteen mild to moderate DCM patients with sensory impairments (mJOA score: 16.2±1.9), 14 incomplete tetraplegic tSCI patients (AIS C&D), and 20 healthy controls were recruited. All participants received DTI and T2*-weighted scans in the lumbosacral enlargement (caudal to injury) and at C2/C3 (rostral to injury). MRI readouts included DTI metrics in the white matter (WM) columns and cross-sectional WM and gray matter area. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc comparison (p<0.05) was used to assess group differences. In the lumbosacral enlargement, compared to DCM, tSCI patients exhibited decreased fractional anisotropy in the lateral (tSCI vs. DCM, -11.9%, p=0.007) and ventral WM column (-8.0%, p=0.021), and showed trend toward lower values in the dorsal column (-8.9%, p=0.068). At C2/C3, compared to controls, fractional anisotropy was lower in both groups in the dorsal (DCM vs. controls, -7.9%, p=0.024; tSCI vs. controls, -10.0%, p=0.007) and in the lateral column (DCM: -6.2%, p=0.039; tSCI: -13.3%, p<0.001), while tSCI patients had lower fractional anisotropy than DCM patients in the lateral column (-7.6%, p=0.029). WM areas were not different between patient groups but were lower compared to controls in the lumbosacral enlargement (DCM: -16.9%, p<0.001; tSCI, -10.5%, p=0.043) and at C2/C3 (DCM: -16.0%, p<0.001; tSCI: -18.1%, p<0.001). In conclusion, mild to moderate DCM and incomplete tSCI lead to similar degree of degeneration of the dorsal and lateral columns at C2/C3, but tSCI results in more widespread white matter damage in the lumbosacral enlargement. These remote changes are likely to contribute to the patients' impairment and recovery. DTI is a sensitive tool to assess remote pathological changes in DCM and tSCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely David
- University of Zurich, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 37734, Department of Systems Neuroscience, Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Kevin Vallotton
- University of Zurich, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Markus Hupp
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Armin Curt
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Patrick Freund
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,UCL Institute of Neurology, 61554, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,UCL Institute of Neurology, 61554, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 27184, Department of Neurophysics, Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Maryam Seif
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 27184, Leipzig, Department of Neurophysics, Germany;
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