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Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Correlation between EDSS scores and cervical spinal cord atrophy at 3T MRI in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review
Xiaodong Song1, Dawei Li1, Zhandong Qiu1
1Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, PR China.
Background:
Cervical spinal cord atrophy (CSCA), which partly reflects the axonal loss in the spinal cord, is increasingly recognized as a valuable predictor of disease outcome. However, inconsistent results have been reported regarding the correlation of CSCA and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesize the available data obtained from 3.0-Tesla (3T) MRI scanners and to explore the relationship between CSCA and scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Methods:
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for articles published from the database inception to February 1, 2019. The quality of the articles was assessed according to a quality evaluation checklist which was created based on the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. We conducted a meta-analysis of the correlation between EDSS scores and CSCA at 3T MRI in MS.
Results:
Twenty-two eligible studies involving 1933 participants were incorporated into our meta-analysis. Our results demonstrated that CSCA was negatively and moderately correlated with EDSS scores (rs = -0.42, 95% CI: -0.51 to -0.32; p < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses revealed a weaker correlation in the group of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) (rs = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.31 to -0.07; p = 0.0029).
Conclusions:
The correlation between CSCA and EDSS scores was significant but moderate. We encourage more studies using reliable and consistent methods to explore whether CSCA is suitable as a predictor for MS progression.
