Does MR Signal Intensity Change have Prognostic Value in Multilevel Cervical Myelopathy? A Single-Center, Prospective Study

Background and Objective: Neurological recovery in cervical myelopathy remains unpredictable. There is contradictory literature regarding the prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in such cases. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the morphological changes in the spinal cord in cervical spondylotic myelopathy and compare them with clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, observational study. All patients with multilevel (two or more levels) cervical spondylotic myelopathy undergoing anterior spine surgery were included in the study. Patient demographics and radiological findings were recorded. MRI was repeated immediately post-op and at 1-year follow-up. MRI classification system based on axial images was used to evaluate presurgery and postsurgery changes and correlate them with clinical information. Results: The study comprised 50 patients (40 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 59.5 years. Average duration of symptoms before surgery was 6.29 months. Thirty-four patients underwent two-level decompression, while 16 patients underwent more than two-level decompression. Average duration of follow-up was 26.82 months. Mean pre-op Nurick grade was 2.84, and mean recovery rate was 56.73. Most common pre-op MRI type was type 1. Analysis of data by logistic regression showed better recovery rate with lower age, lower pre-op Nurick grade, and lower pre-op MRI type. Conclusion: MR classification based on signal intensity changes in axial images have been found to correlate with recovery rate.