| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4224525 | The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine | 2013 | 7 Pages |
PurposeTo assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the evaluation of cervical spinal cord biochemical changes in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).Materials and methodsTwenty-four patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (patient group) and eleven age matched neurologically free volunteers (control group) underwent magnetic resonance imaging. MRS was assessed for the main metabolites including N-acetylaspartate (NAA), Choline (Cho), Creatine (Cr) and Lactate (Lac). The MRS findings of both groups were compared.ResultsSignificant reduction in NAA/Cr ratio of patients with CSM (mean = 1.34 ± 0.09) in comparison to controls (mean = 1.82 ± 0.08). No significant differences in Cho/Cr ratio between both groups. Lactate peak was detected in nine patients while it was not detected in any of the controls. The difference in NAA/Cr ratio between patients with Lac peak and those without Lac peak was insignificant.ConclusionMRS is a promising non invasive technique that can help to evaluate metabolic changes of the cervical cord in cervical spondylotic myelopathy even in normally looking-areas.
