Myelopathy: a report of two cases

To present diagnostic imaging findings of two cases of cervical myelopathy, with different etiologies, presenting to a chiropractic office.

The patient with acute transverse myelitis had neck and upper back pain and nonspecific headaches for 40 years. The patient with posttraumatic syringomyelia experienced intermittent left arm pain starting in the anterolateral shoulder and radiating down the arm into the third, fourth, and fifth digits. Neither of these patients presented with typical myelopathic symptoms.

Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy using high-velocity low-amplitude thrusts and concomitant medical management were used for the patient with posttraumatic syringomyelia. The patient with acute transverse myelitis was not treated.

Practitioners should be aware of the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, laboratory, diagnostic imaging findings, and treatment options pertaining to patients with cervical myelopathy.