The following is a summary of “Radiographic Parameters in Cervical Myelopathy” published in the December 2022 issue of Respiratory by Waddell et al.
This analysis took the form of a story. First, explain how different radiographic alignment parameters affect treatment options, surgical judgment, and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patient outcomes. Given the variability in how patients with CSM manifest their disease, the use of radiographic measures to predict prognosis and surgical results is an active area of research.
With a focus on cervical radiographic measures and clinical outcomes, a search was undertaken in PubMed for surgical treatment of CSM. Distinguishing decompression, stability, and alignment restoration as the primary aims of spine surgery is a useful organizational framework. Cervical lordosis, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis, neck tilt, thoracic inlet angle, T1 slope, K-line, and modified K-line are all radiographic factors that need to be considered while restoring balance preoperatively.
CSM surgery options include anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, posterior cervical fusion, and laminoplasty; for the best possible results, surgeons should carefully analyze radiographic measures before deciding on a certain procedure. Clinical results for CSM can be improved with the surgeon’s use of crucial radiographic information in preoperative planning and intraoperative decision-making.
