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Disc degeneration and cervical instability. Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging with radiography
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Study Design:
An imaging study was designed to evaluate disc degeneration and segmental instability in the cervical spine.
Objectives:
To compare the magnetic resonance imaging assessment of disc degeneration with the conventional plain radiographic evaluation of cervical segmental instability.
Summary Of Background Data:
No studies have been conducted to investigate the association of disc degeneration with cervical instability.
Methods:
Two hundred sixty consecutive patients with suspected cervical spine disorders were analyzed for horizontal and angular displacements on lateral flexion and extension radiographs and disc degeneration on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images of the cervical vertebrae.
Results:
In all intervertebral levels, the grade of disc degeneration increased significantly (P < 0.01) with age. Cervical instability was identified in 151 segments (14.5%) and correlated with Grade 1 and Grade 2 degeneration in the intervertebral discs (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
Cervical segmental instability may indicate early degeneration of intervertebral disc in the cervical vertebrae.