T2‑weighted MRI high signal in cervical spondylotic myelopathy is associated with dynamic change

This study investigates the relationship between high-signal intensity on MRI-T2WI and cervical dynamic change using kinematic MRI. The objective of this study was to explore changes in the degree of cervical spinal cord compression during flexion–extension motions and identify risk factors linked to the occurrence of high signals. Cervical cord compression worsens with cervical dynamic change from flexion to extension. The degree of compression change is considered a risk factor for high signals on MRI-T2WI.

• 1
  The degree of cord compression was remarkably increased in both groups with cervical ranging from flexion to extension.
• 2
  The neutral position and extension compression degrees (area and width) were significantly greater in the high-signal group than in the non-high-signal group, indicating that stenosis is a risk factor for high-signal occurrence.
• 3
  Statistical analysis confirmed that cervical dynamic change was an independent risk factor for high-signal occurrence.