[Opinions about diagnosis and treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy]

There should be confusion about diagnosis and treatment for multiple segments cervical myelopathy in some respects. The author reviewed the literature and combined with clinical experience, proposed a new classification for cervical myelopathy according to responsibility segment areas, which dividing into single segment,double segments (continues or jumping type), multi-segment (≥ three segments). The responsible segments determination is the premise of diagnosis and also a key to determine surgical decompression segment. Decompression only according to imaging was not desirable, surgical segment should mainly relies on clinical, imaging, electrophysiological and comprehensive analysis to avoid surgery range expansion. Surgical approach and procedures are still the focus and hotspot of cervical myelopathy treatment, and no treatment standards and corresponding guidelines to consult. The author proposes that surgical approach should advocate the individual, and surgical procedure should follow simple instead of complicate, anterior and posterior combined decompression is not necessary in most cases, and anterior and posterior fixation are not need.