Cervical Myelopathy

Investigator

Federico P. Girardi, MD

Co-Investigator

Project Description

Cervical myelopathy encompasses a range of symptoms and examination findings including motor and sensory abnormalities related to compression of the cervical spinal cord. Although the symptoms are well described in literature, the natural history of it is still to be determined. Therefore we want to create a database of all patients, diagnosed with cervical myelopathy, who underwent a cervical procedure from January 2000 until October 2010. Patient demographics as age, sex, BMI are collected. Further we are looking at risk factors, which might contribute to the development of cervical myelopathy. These factors include previous cervical, thoracic or lumbar co-morbidities and surgery, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, cardiac, gastro-intestinal, genito-urinary co-morbidities, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, osteoporosis, smoking, alcohol abuse as well as psychological disorders as anxiety and depression are analyzed. Further, each patient will be scored by the Nurwick classification and we are looking into the type of operation and number of operated levels. Pre- and post operative neck and back pain will be compared.

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