Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Cross-Sectional Area Of The Longus Colli And Cervical Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Retrospective Review Evaluating This Anatomic Consideration, Khoa Tran, Aditya Mazmudar, Taylor Paziuk, Mark J. Lambrechts, Eric Tecce, Olivia Blaber, Kamil Okroj, Brian A Karamian, Jose A Canseco, Jeffrey A Rihn, Alan Hilibrand, Christopher Kepler, Alexander R. Vaccaro, Gregory D. Schroeder

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Background: Limited literature is available to define the impact of the longus colli muscle, a deep flexor of the spine, on cervical spine stability despite its close proximity to the vertebrae. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if longus colli cross-sectional area (CSA) is associated with the severity preoperative cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylolisthesis between 2010-2021 were retrospectively identified. Longus colli cross-sectional areas (CSA) were measured from preoperative MRI images at the C5 level. Preoperative spondylolisthesis measurements were recorded with cervical radiographs. …

Developing Peri-Operative Rehabilitation In Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [Ao Spine Recode-Dcm Research Priority Number 6]: An Unexplored Opportunity?, Timothy F Boerger, Allison S Hyngstrom, Julio C Furlan, Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan, Armin Curt, Brian K Kwon, Shekar N Kurpad, Michael G Fehlings, James Harrop, Bizhan Aarabi, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar, James D Guest, Jefferson R Wilson, Benjamin M Davies, Mark R N Kotter, Paul A Koljonen

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Study design: Narrative review.

Objective: Degenerative cervical myelopathy is one of the most frequent impairments of the spinal cord encountered internationally in adults. Currently, surgical decompression is the recommended treatment for people with DCM (PwCM) presenting with moderate to severe symptoms or neurological deficits. However, despite surgical intervention, not all patients make a complete recovery due to the irreversible tissue damage within the spinal cord. The objective of this review is to describe the state and gaps in the current literature on rehabilitation for PwCM and possible innovative rehabilitation strategies.

Methods: Literature search.

Results: In other neurological disorders such as …

Establishing Diagnostic Criteria For Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [Ao Spine Recode-Dcm Research Priority Number 3], Bryn Hilton, Emma L Gardner, Zhilin Jiang, Lindsay Tetreault, Jamie R F Wilson, Carl Moritz Zipser, K Daniel Riew, James D Guest, James Harrop, Michael G Fehlings, Ricardo Rodrigues-Pinto, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar, Bizhan Aarabi, Paul A Koljonen, Mark R N Kotter, Benjamin M Davies, Brian K Kwon

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Study design: Narrative review.

Objectives: To discuss the importance of establishing diagnostic criteria in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM), including factors that must be taken into account and challenges that must be overcome in this process.

Methods: Literature review summarising current evidence of establishing diagnostic criteria for DCM.

Results: Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is characterised by a degenerative process of the cervical spine resulting in chronic spinal cord dysfunction and subsequent neurological disability. Diagnostic delays lead to progressive neurological decline with associated reduction in quality of life for patients. Surgical decompression may halt neurologic worsening and, in many cases, improves function. …

A New Framework For Investigating The Biological Basis Of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [Ao Spine Recode-Dcm Research Priority Number 5]: Mechanical Stress, Vulnerability And Time, Benjamin M Davies, Oliver Mowforth, Aref-Ali Gharooni, Lindsay Tetreault, Aria Nouri, Rana S Dhillon, Josef Bednarik, Allan R Martin, Adam Young, Hitoshi Takahashi, Timothy F Boerger, Virginia Fj Newcombe, Carl Moritz Zipser, Patrick Freund, Paul Aarne Koljonen, Ricardo Rodrigues-Pinto, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar, Jefferson R Wilson, Shekar N Kurpad, Michael G Fehlings, Brian K Kwon, James Harrop, James D Guest, Armin Curt, Mark R N Kotter

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Study design: Literature Review (Narrative).

Objective: To propose a new framework, to support the investigation and understanding of the pathobiology of DCM, AO Spine RECODE-DCM research priority number 5.

Methods: Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common and disabling spinal cord disorder. In this perspective, we review key knowledge gaps between the clinical phenotype and our biological models. We then propose a reappraisal of the key driving forces behind DCM and an individual's susceptibility, including the proposal of a new framework.

Results: Present pathobiological and mechanistic knowledge does not adequately explain the disease phenotype; why only a subset of patients with …

Improving Awareness Could Transform Outcomes In Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [Ao Spine Recode-Dcm Research Priority Number 1], Benjamin M Davies, Oliver Mowforth, Helen Wood, Zahabiya Karimi, Iwan Sadler, Lindsay Tetreault, Jamie Milligan, Jamie R F Wilson, Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan, Julio C Furlan, Yoshiharu Kawaguchi, Manabu Ito, Carl Moritz Zipser, Timothy F Boerger, Alex R. Vaccaro, Rory K J Murphy, Mike Hutton, Ricardo Rodrigues-Pinto, Paul A Koljonen, James Harrop, Bizhan Aarabi, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar, Shekar N Kurpad, James D Guest, Jefferson R Wilson, Brian K Kwon, Mark R N Kotter, Michael G Fehlings

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Study design: Literature Review (Narrative).

Objective: To introduce the number one research priority for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM): Raising Awareness.

Methods: Raising awareness has been recognized by AO Spine RECODE-DCM as the number one research priority. This article reviews the evidence that awareness is low, the potential drivers, and why this must be addressed. Case studies of success from other diseases are also reviewed, drawing potential parallels and opportunities for DCM.

Results: DCM may affect as many as 1 in 50 adults, yet few will receive a diagnosis and those that do will wait many years for it. This leads …