Preliminarily exploring the intraoperative ultrasonography characteristics of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy

This study explores the use of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) undergoing French-door laminoplasty (FDL). IOUS helps surgeons visualize the spinal cord and surrounding structures during surgery. The study examines various IOUS characteristics, such as spinal cord morphology, echogenicity, pulsation, and the position of the spinal cord central echo complex (SCCEC), to understand their relationship with the severity of DCM. The findings aim to assist surgeons and sonographers in quickly interpreting ultrasound images to make better clinical decisions during surgery, potentially improving patient outcomes.

• 1
  The cross-sectional area of the spinal cord (SC) was negatively correlated with age in adults, indicating that the SC tends to be thinner in older individuals.
• 2
  More changes in intramedullary echogenicity, indicated by a lower preJOA score in the heterogeneous group and a negative correlation between HEA and preJOA score, often suggest poorer spinal cord status.
• 3
  The SCCEC FMR and SCPA were more pronounced in compressed areas (CAs) compared to non-compressed areas (NCAs), indicating increased movement and pulsation in the areas of compression.