(iv) Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a brief review of its pathophysiology, presentation, assessment, natural history and management

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a debilitating condition associated with spinal cord dysfunction. It frequently occurs in the elderly and accounts for the majority of non-traumatic spastic paraparesis and quadriparesis. Cervical myelopathy refers to the clinical syndrome of long-tract aberrations in both upper and lower extremities arising from cervical spinal cord compression. It is most commonly caused by degenerative spondylosis leading to circumferential compression of the cervical spinal cord, often in a congenitally narrowed spinal canal. This article summarizes the current evidence surrounding the pathophysiology, presentation, assessment, natural history, and management of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.