Cervical and Thoracic Spondylotic Myelopathies

Area of Science:

• Spine Surgery
• Neurology
• Degenerative Spine Disorders

Background:

• Spondylotic myelopathies are common spinal disorders with variable clinical and treatment approaches.
• A lack of standardized management strategies poses challenges in patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of degenerative cervical and thoracic spine myelopathies.
• To discuss current understanding of epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical assessment, natural history, and treatment options.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on spondylotic myelopathies.
• Discussion of diagnostic modalities including imaging and neurophysiological tools.
• Examination of assessment instruments and differential diagnoses.

Main Results:

• Detailed review of epidemiology, pathophysiology, and natural history.
• Comprehensive analysis of diagnostic tools: imaging, electromyography/nerve conduction studies, evoked potentials.
• Evaluation of assessment scales: JOA score, modified-JOA, Nurick scale, functional tests.

Conclusions:

• Standardized approaches are needed for managing degenerative myelopathies.
• Accurate diagnosis and assessment are crucial for effective treatment planning.
• Differentiating spondylotic from non-spondylotic myelopathies requires careful evaluation.