BACKGROUND: Areas of intramedullary hyperintensity in patients with cervical spondylogenetic myelopathy (CSM) have been described and studied by several authors. METHODS: In the present study, 100 patients were reappraised and divided into 2 groups according to whether or not MRI detected areas of hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated that intramedullary hyperintensity is most frequently associated with severe impairment of deambulation, muscular hypotonus-hypotrophy and hypoesthesias of the upper limbs. CONCLUSIONS: These radiological findings probably correspond to various types of lesions which, when irreversible, may influence postoperative neurological recovery.
BACKGROUND: Areas of intramedullary hyperintensity in patients with cervical spondylogenetic myelopathy (CSM) have been described and studied by several authors. METHODS: In the present study, 100 patients were reappraised and divided into 2 groups according to whether or not MRI detected areas of hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated that intramedullary hyperintensity is most frequently associated with severe impairment of deambulation, muscular hypotonus-hypotrophy and hypoesthesias of the upper limbs. CONCLUSIONS: These radiological findings probably correspond to various types of lesions which, when irreversible, may influence postoperative neurological recovery.