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Relatively Large Cervical Spinal Cord for Spinal Canal is a Risk factor for Development of Cervical Spinal Cord Compression: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1,211 Subjects.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Oct 30;
Authors: Nakashima H, Yukawa Y, Suda K, Yamagata M, Ueta T, Kato F
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study OBJECTIVE.: This study aims to investigate the correlation of the cervical canal and spinal cord size, and evaluate whether the size of the spinal cord relative to the spinal canal is a risk factor for development of cervical spinal cord compression (SCC).
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is little knowledge regarding the relationship between cervical bony canal and spinal cord diameters. Although developmental canal stenosis has been recognized as a risk factor for SCC, the size of the spinal cord relative to the spinal canal has not been similarly discussed.
METHODS: Cervical canal anteroposterior (AP) diameters on X-rays and AP diameters and cross-sectional areas of dural sacs and spinal cords on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were measured in 1,211 healthy volunteers. Correlation between cervical canal diameter on X-rays and AP diameter and cross-sectional area of dural sacs and spinal cords on MRI were assessed. The ratio of the AP diameter of the spinal cord/dural sac was compared between subjects with and without SCC.
RESULTS: Spinal canal diameters were not highly correlated with spinal cord AP diameters and cross-sectional areas, although spinal canal diameters were significantly correlated with dural sac AP diameters. The individual difference in the ratio of the AP diameter of the spinal cord/dural sac was large (35%-93%), and the ratio was significantly larger in the subjects with SCC. An AP diameter ratio more than 62% at the C2-3 disc level is a risk factor for developing SCC.
CONCLUSIONS: The spinal cord diameter was independent of the spinal canal diameter and the relative size of a spinal cord and spinal canal differed on an individual basis. In addition, the ratio of spinal cord/dural sac in subjects with SCC was significantly larger. Therefore, a relatively large spinal cord could be a risk factor for SCC.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
PMID: 26536445 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]