[Image and clinical correlative studies on cervical spinal canal stenosis]

Clinical finding, X-ray and MR imagings in 47 patients who underwent operation for degenerative cervical stenosis were correalatively studied. JOA score was used for evaluation and it varied from 6 to 14 points, with an average of 10.13 points. All Torg ratios were smaller than normal value and that of C4 was the smallest. The reserve space, sagittal diameter of spinal cord decreased, especially in the diseased segments. Sagittal diameter of spinal cord showed on T2 weighted imaging and Torg ratio were in good correlation with JOA score (P < 0.01, r = 0.4815, r = 0.0993), MRI being superior to X-ray (P < 0.01). The MRI characteristic changes of degenerative cervical stenosis were subarachnoid space decrease or vanish, compression deformation of spinal cord and abnormal signal in spinal cord. MRI classification was established according to the segments involved, compression direction. compression degree and abnormal changes in spinal cord, can indicate clinical changes and guide diagnosis and operation.