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Investigations

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Helpful investigations in cervical spine spondylosis are:

  • MRI - the best investigation, if available

  • plain x-ray of cervical spine - look for:
    • congenital narrowing of canal, loss of lordosis
    • narrowing of disc space and osteophytic protrusion
    • subluxation

  • cervical myelogram:
    • lateral views identify anterior disc bars compressing the cord
    • antero-posterior views demonstrate root obliteration/ filling defect arising from disc or osteophyte protrusion

  • axial CT - necessary only if no site for compression can be easily demonstrated

Radiological appearances correlate poorly with symptoms.

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