L Dai1. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate disc degeneration and segmental instability in the cervical spine by comparing the magnetic resonance imaging assessment of disc degeneration with conventional plain radiographic evaluation with cervical segmental instability. METHODS: Two hundred sixty consecutive patients with suspected cervical spine disorders were analyzed for horizontal and angular displacements on lateral flexion and extension radiographs and disc degeneration on T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance images of the cervical vertebrae. RESULTS: In all intervertebral levels, the grade of disc degeneration increased significantly (P < 0.01) with age. Cervical instability was identified in 151 segments (14.5%) and correlated with Grade 1 and Grade 2 degeneration in the intervertebral discs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical segmental instability may indicate early degeneration of intervertebral disc in the cervical vertebrae.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate disc degeneration and segmental instability in the cervical spine by comparing the magnetic resonance imaging assessment of disc degeneration with conventional plain radiographic evaluation with cervical segmental instability. METHODS: Two hundred sixty consecutive patients with suspected cervical spine disorders were analyzed for horizontal and angular displacements on lateral flexion and extension radiographs and disc degeneration on T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance images of the cervical vertebrae. RESULTS: In all intervertebral levels, the grade of disc degeneration increased significantly (P < 0.01) with age. Cervical instability was identified in 151 segments (14.5%) and correlated with Grade 1 and Grade 2 degeneration in the intervertebral discs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical segmental instability may indicate early degeneration of intervertebral disc in the cervical vertebrae.