Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cervical spondylosis'

Orientador: Alberto Cliquet Junior
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Resumo: Introdução: O trauma raquimedular apresenta maior incidência em indivíduos do sexo masculino entre 15 e 40 anos de idade. A denervação da musculatura segmentar da coluna vertebral abaixo do nível da lesão medular altera a postura do tronco no plano sagital destes indivíduos. Adaptações posturais ocorrem na coluna cervical e podem predispor à degeneração precoce do disco intervertebral e/ou das articulações facetárias, resultando na formação de osteófitos nos corpos vertebrais, diminuição do calibre dos forâmens intervertebrais e do canal vertebral. O envelhecimento da coluna cervical (espondilose cervical) é um processo lento. Sua sintomatologia é imprevisível e ocorre após a 5a década de vida na população geral, podendo decorrer de compressões radiculares ou medulares. As compressões radiculares apresentam-se clinicamente como dores irradiadas nos membros superiores, diminuição da força muscular (paresia) e alterações da sensibilidade (parestesia). Já as compressões medulares (ou mielopatia cervical) levam à incoordenação dos movimentos finos nas mãos, alterações de marcha (claudicação), do equilíbrio e disfunções no controle esfincteriano vesical e anal. Os paraplégicos preservam as funções nos membros superiores e dependem exclusivamente destes para a realização das atividades diárias. As alterações mecânicas no plano sagital na coluna cervical de indivíduos paraplégicos poderiam, deste modo, desencadear precocemente o processo de envelhecimento da coluna cervical levando a sintomas compressivos radiculares e/ou medulares cervicais com uma importante perda de função para estes indivíduos. Objetivo: O objetivo primário deste estudo foi correlacionar o alinhamento da coluna cervical no plano sagital de indivíduos paraplégicos com o nível de lesão neurológica torácica. O objetivo secundário foi caracterizar e comparar as alterações degenerativas radiográficas em diferentes níveis de lesão medular torácica. viii Metodologia: Foi realizada a análise radiográfica da coluna cervical de 12 indivíduos paraplégicos torácicos (9 do sexo masculino e 3 do sexo feminino) com lesão medular há mais de 1 ano (média de 9,1 anos, de 4 a 15 anos). Os indivíduos foram divididos em 2 grupos: 6 apresentavam lesão medular abaixo de T9 e outros 6, acima ou em T8, de acordo com a classificação da American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). A lordose global, mensurada de C2 a C7 e a lordose local, mensurada para cada nível cervical foram comparadas. Sinais radiográficos de degeneração cervical (diminuição da altura do disco intervertebral, formação de osteófitos e esclerose dos platôs vertebrais) também foram analisados utilizando o método de Gore et al., e os resultados foram comparados entre os grupos. Resultados: O grupo com lesão medular em T8 ou acima apresentou maiores medidas de lordose global (55o ± 5,7o vs 26,2o ± 3,8o, p<0,0001), especialmente nos segmentos C5-C6 (10,7o ± 5,9o vs 1o ± 3,1o, p=0,02) e C6-C7 (18o ± 3,5o vs 4,5o ± 3,6o, p<0,0001). Não foram encontradas diferenças quanto às alterações degenerativas radiográficas entre os grupos em C4-C5 (p=0,16), C5-C6 (p=0,06) e C6-C7 (p=0,31). Conclusão: Este estudo preliminar indica que o nível de lesão medular influencia o alinhamento cervical no plano sagital aumentando a lordose especialmente nos segmentos mais distais e nos indivíduos com lesão medular em T8 ou acima
Abstract: Introduction: Spinal cord injury occurs more frequently in males between 15 and 40 years old. The loss of innervation in the segmental musculature of the spine below the level of spinal cord injury modifies the posture of the trunk in these subjects. Consequently, adaptative postural changes occur in the cervical spine predisposing to early degeneration of the intervertebral disc and/or facet joints, osteophyte formation and narrowing of the spinal canal and foramina. The degeneration of the cervical spine, known as cervical spondylosis, is a slow process and its symptoms usually occur after the 5th decade of life, and may result in radicular and/or cord compressions. Radicular compressions may present as radiating pain to the upper extremities, diminished strength and abnormal sensation. Spinal cord compressions, on the other hand, may present as a loss of fine movements in the hands, abnormal gait, impaired balance and dysfunctions in the vesical and anal sphincters. Paraplegics depend on the upper extremities for everyday activities and the development of radicular and/or spinal cord compressive symptoms in these subjects can be devastating. Mechanical changes in the sagittal plane of the cervical spine of paraplegics might result in early degeneration of this segment and an increasing disability for everyday activities over time. Objective: The primary endpoint of this study was to analyse the differences in the cervical spine alignment in paraplegics according to their level of spinal cord injury. The secondary endpoint was to compare degenerative findings on conventional radiographs between two different groups of paraplegics. Participants/methods: Twelve paraplegics (9 males and 3 females) sustaining more than 1 year of injury (average 9,1, from 4 to 15 years) had their sagittal cervical spine x-rays analyzed. They were divided into 2 groups: 6 patients had injuries below T9 and another 6, at or above T8, according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification. The global lordosis, x measured from C2 to C7, and the local lordosis, measured for each level were compared between the groups. Radiographic cervical degeneration (loss of disc height, osteophytes formation and end-plate sclerosis) was also quantified using a previous method described by Gore et al. and compared between the groups. Results: Results indicate that paraplegics sustaining higher spinal cord injuries (at or above T8) have an increased global lordosis (55o ± 5,7o vs 26,2o ± 3,8o, p<0,0001) specially in the lower segments - C5-C6 (10,7o ± 5,9o vs 1o ± 3,1o, p=0,02) and C6-C7 (18o ± 3,5o vs 4,5o ± 3,6o, p<0,0001). No differences were found comparing the radiographic scores for cervical degeneration between the groups at C4-C5 (p=0,16), C5-C6 (p=0,06) and C6-C7 (p=0,31). Conclusion: This preliminary study indicates that the level of spinal cord injury influences the cervical sagittal alignment with an increase in lordosis specially in the lower segments and in subjects with spinal cord injury at or above T8
Mestrado
Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica
Mestre em Ciências

Degeneration of the cervical spine is part of the normal aging process, usually occurring without clinical symptoms. Symptomatic degeneration most often occurs in the lower cervical spine, presenting as axial neck pain, radiculopathy, myelopathy, or any combination of the three. When conservative treatment does not adequately manage these symptoms, surgical intervention may be required. The longstanding surgical treatment for cervical degeneration is arthrodesis achieved through anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). A relatively newer treatment is arthroplasty with a cervical total disc replacement (CTDR), a motion-sparing procedure designed to maintain adjacent-level loading. While literature exists comparing the effects of cervical arthrodesis and cervical arthroplasty on neck kinematics and loading, the vast majority of these studies applied only quasi-static, non-injurious loading conditions. This dissertation research used a state-of-the-art, full body human finite element (FE) model to investigate the effects of these surgical procedures on neck response during simulated dynamic impacts. A method was developed to measure cross-sectional forces and moments at each level of the neck in the FE model. Neck loading was captured during three automobile impact simulations: a frontal impact of a belted driver with airbag deployment, a frontal impact of a belted passenger without airbag deployment, and an unbelted side impact. The measured neck forces and moments were compared to existing injury threshold values and used to calculate injury criteria values. Four additional simulations of the frontal impact with the belted driver were conducted with neck modifications representative of either a fusion or arthroplasty of C5-6. While cross-sectional loading above and below the implants did not vary appreciably, key differences were noted in both the interbody and facet response. However, no neck injury thresholds were exceeded in any of the simulations. With cervical radiculopathy diagnosed in 24,742 active-duty U.S. military personnel between 2000 and 2009, interest in cervical arthroplasty as treatment for symptomatic cervical degeneration in this population has increased. This motion-sparing procedure has the potential to expedite post-operative recovery time, allowing for these highly trained individuals to return to active-duty sooner than with a fusion. Due to the physically demanding nature of the military environment, it is important to ensure that this surgical procedure does not increase the likelihood of a neck injury. An FE simulation environment was developed to investigate aviator head and neck response during a survivable, rotary-wing aircraft impact with the ground using both an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) and a human body model. The head and neck response of the ATD FE simulation was successfully validated against the results of a previously conducted experimental sled test. A more biofidelic head and neck response was produced with the human body model, including realistic changes in neck curvature. Additional simulations were conducted with the human body model to investigate the neck response after cervical arthroplasty of C5-6. While the adjacent-level, cross-sectional loading for the C5-6 segment was not appreciably altered by the CTDRs, the interbody range-of-motion was increased; subsequently altering both the interbody and cervical facet loading. Again, no neck injury thresholds were exceeded in these simulations. Overall, cervical arthroplasty did not appear to have a deleterious effect on the dynamic neck response during a simulated rotary-wing aircraft impact.
Ph. D.

Orientador: Ibsen Bellini Coimbra
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Resumo: A osteoartrite (OA), osteoartrose, ou ainda doença articular degenerativa é enfermidade que tem sido muito estudada em razão do grande número de pessoas acometidas por ela. A espondilose cervical é o tipo de osteoartrite que acomete a coluna cervical e é também conhecida pela sua grande incidência. Os trabalhos disponíveis na literatura e que estudaram a OA limitaram-se fundamentalmente à sua etiologia, métodos diagnósticos, marcadores bioquímicos e formas de tratamento, não considerando, no entanto, algumas queixas apresentadas por esses pacientes sobre alguns sinais e sintomas auditivos como as disacusias, os zumbidos e as tonturas, muitas vezes presentes e relatados pelos pacientes por ela acometidos. Este estudo analisou em uma amostra de 50 pacientes, a prevalência de sinais e sintomas auditivos em portadores de espondilose cervical através da anamnese e da avaliação audiométrica e da vectoeletronistagmografia. Verificou-se através das respostas obtidas na anamnese que 44% (22) dos enfermos consideravam sua audição boa, enquanto 56% (28 pacientes) não. Dentre esses pacientes, encontraram-se em 33% deles alterações na orelha direita, 48% na orelha esquerda e em 19% alterações nas duas orelhas. Na avaliação dos resultados dos exames audiométricos (audiometria tonal) encontrou-se ainda uma maior porcentagem de indivíduos com uma alteração auditiva nas freqüências altas (4,6,8Hz) (52%,66%,66%) na orelha esquerda e na orelha direita somente na freqüência de 6 Hz (56%). Em relação à presença de zumbidos, 36 (72%) pacientes relataram a sua presença. Quando verificada a ocorrência de vertigem, 37 (74%) dos 50 pacientes a apresentaram, no entanto, os exames de vectoeletronistagmografia foram normais. conclui-se, portanto, que há prevalência de sinais e sintomas otológicos em portadores de espondilose cervical, embora eles não apareçam, necessariamente, concomitantemente, sendo que a vertigem aparece com maior freqüência, seguida por zumbido e, logo após, pela hipoacusia
Abstract: The osteoarthiris (OA) is the most common rheumatologic disease and cervical spondylosis is the OA on the cervical spine. It has been well studied in the past few years, mainly due to its high prevalence, as well as the costs to the health systems all over the world. The great majority of those studies have been focusing on its pathophysiologic aspects, etiology, diagnosis and its treatment. However few studies considered some symptoms that cervical spondylosis carriers can present, such as tinnitus and vertigo, in a such way frequent in the practical clinic. The aim of this study was to analyze in a sample of 50 patients with cervical spondylosis the auditory prevalence of signs and symptoms. It was observed that 56% of them (28 patients) didn't consider their audition as ?Good?, whereas 44% (22 patients) didn?t have any complaint. Among those subjects that didn't consider audition good the right ear was reported with deficit by 33%, the left ear by 48% and by 19% patients, both ears had problems.All patients underwent to a tonal audiometric evaluation. Its was observed a greater percentage of individuals with an audition "No Good" in the high (4, 6, 8Hz) (52%, 66%, 66% respectively) frequencies in the left ear and in the frequency of 6 Hz (56%) in the right ear. The results showed that 36 (72%) patients presented tinnitus complaint. When it verified the complaint of vertigo, 37 (74%) patients presented complaint, whose examinations of vectography had been normal. We concluded that there is a connection between signs and hearing symptoms, such as hearing loss, tinnitus e vertigo, among the patients with cervical spondylosis, suggesting that more studies in this area are required
Mestrado
Clinica Medica
Mestre em Clinica Medica

Orientador: Simone Appenzeller
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Resumo: Objetivo: Verificar se há uma associação entre a espondilose cervical, sinais e sintomas auditivos e alterações no fluxo da artéria vertebral. Material e método: Foram selecionados 150 indivíduos que freqüentavam a Universidade Aberta à Terceira Idade da Universidade Federal de Alfenas. Foram excluídos indivíduos com traumas, doenças sistêmicas ou locais que pudessem interferir com o sistema auditivo e vestibulococlear . No total, 102 indivíduos [91 (89,2%) do sexo feminino; média de idade de 59,4± 12,0 anos (variação de 30 a 91 anos)]. A presença de sinais e sintomas auditivos foi avaliada através de uma anamnese elaborada específicamente para esse fim. Radiografias nas posições anteroposterior, perfil e oblíquas foram realizadas em todos os indivíduos e analisadas por dois radiologistas, cegos em relação a sintomatologia. Ultrassonografia (US) Doppler foi realizada nas artérias vertebrais direita e esquerda em posição anatômica em todos os indivíduos, por um ultrassonografista cego quanto às manifestações clínicas ou radiográficas. A análise estatística foi realizada no programa SAS e Systat. Os testes estatísticos aplicados foram selecionados de acordo com a natureza das variáveis. Resultados: A prevalência de sintomas vestibulococleares foi observada em 83 (81,4%) dos indivíduos da amostra. Espondilose cervical foi observada em 71 (69,6%) dos indivíduos. A média de fluxo da artéria vertebral direita foi significativamente menor [85,3 ± 43,1 ml/min (variação 18,1 ¿ 208,9 ml/min)] quando comparados aos indivíduos sem espondilose cervical [101,2 ± 44,3 ml/min (variação 43,8 ¿ 282,3 ml/min; p=0,02). Não observamos alterações no fluxo arterial vertebral esquerda em pacientes com espondilose cervical, comparado aos indivíduos sem espondilose cervical. Não houve relação entre a alteração do fluxo arterial vertebral, a presença de espondilose cervical e sintomas vestibulococleares. Conclusão: Observamos uma elevada prevalência de sintomas vestibulococleares e espondilose em nossa amostra. O fluxo da artéria vertebral direita estava reduzido em indivíduos com espondilose, porém não houve associação com sintomas clínicos
Abstract: Objective: To determine the relationship between in signs and symptoms of hearing, espondylosis and vertebral artery flow. Methods: A total of 150 individuals from the Universidade aber ta a tercei ra idade da Universidade Federal de Al fenas were invi ted. Individuals wi th t rauma, systemic or local diseases that could inf luence vest ibulococlear symptoms were excluded. A total of 102 individuals[91 (89.2%) female; median age 59,4± 12,0 years (range 30 a 91 years)] were included. Vestibulocolcear symptoms were evaluated by clinical interview. X-ray of the cervical spine were done in anterior-posterior, lateral and oblique view and reviewed by two radiologist blind to the individuals' symptoms. Doppler ultrasound (US) of the vertebral artery was done in anatomic position in all individuals by an ultrasound expert blind to individuals characteristics. Statistics was performed using SAS and Systat according to the nature of the variable. Results: The prevalence of signs and symptoms of hearing was observed in 83 (81.4%) and spondylosis in 71 (69.6%) individuals. The mean right vertebral flow was significant smaller in individuals with spondylosis [85.3 ± 43.1 ml/min (range18.1 ¿ 208.9 ml/min)] when compared to individuals without spondylosis. We did not observe a difference regarding the left vertebral flow. No relation between arterial vertebral flow, spondylosis and vestibulocolear symptoms was observed. Conclusion: A high prevalence of vestibulococlear symptoms and spondylosis was observed in this cohort. The right vertebral artery had reduced flow in individuals with spondylosis, however no relation to symptoms was observed
Doutorado
Clinica Medica
Doutora em Clínica Médica

INTRODUÇÃO: Estenose do canal cervical consiste na diminuição do diâmetro sagital do canal cervical e está associada com maior risco de lesões neurológicas decorrentes de trauma cervical. Nos esportes de colisão, a estenose do canal cervical consiste em um importante parâmetro na decisão de retorno ao esporte após neuropraxia da medula cervical e após determinadas lesões do plexo braquial. Os métodos atualmente disponíveis para avaliação de estenose do canal cervical em atletas são muito caros (ex: por ressonância nuclear magnética) ou pouco precisos (métodos radiográficos). Este estudo avaliou um novo método radiográfico para determinação de estenose do canal cervical, comparando-o com medições realizadas em cadáveres, medida por ressonância nuclear magnética do canal cervical e do espaço disponível para a medula (SAC/SACD) e com o método radiográfico consagrado na literatura para determinação de estenose do canal cervical, o índice de Torg (IT). MÉTODOS: A população do estudo foram 20 homens entre 16 e 35 anos de idade. Os sujeitos realizaram uma ressonância nuclear magnética da coluna cervical para determinação do SAC/SACD e radiografias cervicais em perfil e antero-posterior para determinação do IT e do novo método radiográfico proposto, o diâmetro corrigido do canal cervical (DCCC). Para determinar o DCCC, foi utilizada uma barra de metal de 100 mm, acoplada verticalmente na linha média cervical, utilizando os processos espinhosos das vertebras cervicais como referência. Obtidos o diâmetro sagital da imagem do canal cervical e o comprimento da imagem da barra de metal na radiografia, e conhecendo o tamanho real da barra de metal, o diâmetro real do canal medular pôde ser estimado matematicamente com o uso do teorema de Tales. Os resultados obtidos para o DCCC foram comparados com valores encontrados em estudos com cadáveres, foi avaliada a concordância entre DCCC e o diâmetro médio-sagital do canal cervical aferido por ressonância magnética (DCRM) e os métodos radiográficos (DCCC e IT) foram correlacionados com o SAC/SACD. Os cálculos foram realizados nos níveis C3 a C7, além das médias de C3 a C6 [DCCC (MDCCC), IT (MTorg) e SAC/SACD (MSAC/MSACD)]. RESULTADOS: Os valores obtidos pelo DCCC (média do MDCCC: 15.29 mm) foram compatíveis com os valores descritos em estudos de medida direta. A correlação entre DCCC e SAC/SACD foi superior à correlação entre IT e SAC/SACD, sendo de 0.7025 para MDCCC e MSACD contra 0.5473 para MTorg e MSACD. O teste de concordância entre os valores absolutos para DCCC e DCRM evidenciou valores mais elevados na medida por DCCC, sendo média de 1.84 mm maior para MDCCC em relação a média de C3 a C6 pelo DCRM. CONCLUSÕES: O Diâmetro Corrigido do Canal Cervical apresentou valores semelhantes aos encontrados em estudos com medida direta em cadáveres e apresentou correlação com SAC/SACD superior ao IT
INTRODUCTION: Cervical spinal stenosis is the diminution of the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal and it is associated with increased risk of neurological injury from cervical trauma. In collision sports, the cervical canal stenosis is an important parameter in the return to play decision after cervical cord neuropraxia and after some brachial plexus injuries. The methods currently available for evaluation of cervical canal stenosis in athletes are expensive (eg, nuclear magnetic resonance) or imprecise (radiographic methods). This study evaluated a new radiographic method for determination of cervical canal stenosis, comparing it to measurements performed on cadavers, measurement by magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical canal and space available for the cord (SAC/SACD) and the consecrated radiographic method for determining cervical spinal stenosis, Torg ratio(TI). METHODS: The study population were 20 men between 16 and 35 years. The subjects underwent a magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine to determine the SAC/SACD and cervical radiographs to determine the IT and the proposed new radiographic method, called corrected cervical canal diameter (DCCC). To determine the DCCC, a 100 mm metal bar was used vertically over the cervical midline, using the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae as reference. Got the radiographic diameter of the medullary canal and the length of the metal bar image on the radiograph , and knowing the actual size of the metal bar , the actual diameter of the spinal canal could be estimated mathematically with the simple use of the theorem of Thales. The results for the DCCC were compared with values found in cadavers studies, the agreement between DCCC and the mid-sagittal diameter of the cervical canal measured by magnetic resonance imaging (DCRM) was calculated and radiographic methods (DCCC and IT) were correlated with SAC/SACD. Calculations were performed individually for C3 to C7 and averages of C3 to C6 [DCCC (MDCCC), IT (MTorg) and SAC/SACD (MSAC/ MSACD)]. RESULTS: The values obtained by DCCC (average MDCCC: 15:29 mm) were consistent with the values described in studies using direct measurement. The correlation between DCCC and SAC/SACD was higher than the correlation between IT and SAC/SACD, being 0.7025 for MDCCC and MSACD and 0.5473 for MTorg and MSACD. The agreement between absolute values for DCCC and DCRM showed higher values for DCCC, which average 1.84 mm greater for MDCCC compared to the average of C3 to C6 for DCRM. CONCLUSIONS: The Fixed Diameter of the Cervical Canal showed similar values to those found in studies with direct measurement from cadavers and correlated with SAC/SACD better than IT

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM) is a common type of spinal cord dysfunction in the elderly. The natural history of CSM is associated with disc degeneration and spondylosis, leading to the static and dynamic compression of the spinal cord, tissue ischemia, tissue damage, and ultimately neurological function deficit. However, the severity of the spinal cord compression does not necessarily correlate with the signs and symptoms of CSM in patients. Until now, the pathomechanism of CSM was not well understood. Establishing an evaluation technique is, therefore, criticalfor the pathophysiological investigation of CSM. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been widely used for evaluating the spinal cord parenchyma. However, conventional MRI is limited in detecting macroscopic changes, e.g. spinal cord compression, edema or hemorrhage etc. Recently, there has been increasing interest in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which permitting detects tissue water molecule diffusion at the microscopic level. The conventional DTI analysis for CSM relies on hand-drawn regions of interest (ROIs), so called ROI-based measurements. The ROIs are drawn on the sagittal image or on the axial image to cover the whole cord, which are insufficient to describe the precise diffusion pattern. In particular, the deformation and degeneration of the myelopathic cord poses a big challenge for the ROI-based analysis. The most commonly used parameter, fractional anisotropy (FA) has difficulty in determining the level diagnosis due to its relatively large variance along the cord. Furthermore, the functional activation following microstructural damage remains underexplored. In this dissertation, several novel methods for region-specific analysis were proposed for the investigation of microstructural changes in the CSM. In Chapter 2, ROI-based analysis was employed to detect the regional diffusion characteristics in CSM. In Chapter 3, an auto-template was developed that segments the cord and measures the DTI parameters automatically. We found that our auto-template outperforms hand-drawn ROI-based methods in terms of efficiency and reproducibility. In Chapter 4, entropy-based analysis was proposed to characterize the loss of complexity of microstructure in the myelopathic cord. It was demonstrated that FA entropy was an objective and quantitative evaluation parameter that was superior to conventional methods for separating CSM patients from healthy subjects. In Chapter 5, orientation entropy was used to detect the disordered orientational distribution of the nerve tracts in CSM, which could be used as a good index for the pathogenic level estimation. In Chapter 6, a diffusion tensor tractography-based method was proposed to overcome the difficulties in column-specific ROI drawing on the deformed and degenerated spinal cords. In Chapter 7, the structure-function relationship in the cervical spinal cord was explored by a combination of DTI and functional MRI. A significant correlation was found between enhanced functional responses and the loss of microstructural integrity in CSM. In this study, several novel post-processing methods were proposed and demonstrated, which were shown to have extraordinary capabilitiesfor the investigation and assessment of CSM. It is expected that these methods can be used as valuable tools for clinical diagnosis and for the selection of the most appropriate treatment strategy for CSM.
published_or_final_version
Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the most common spinal cord disorder in persons over 55 years of age in North America and perhaps in the world. Surgical options are broadly classified into two categories namely, anterior and posterior approaches. This study focuses on the posterior based approach (i.e. laminectomy or laminoplasty) which is considered when multiple levels of the spine have to be decompressed or when most of the cord compression results from posterior pathological conditions. The external and internal behavior of the spine after laminoplasty and laminectomy has been evaluated using both experimental and computational methods. Computationally, a validated intact 3D finite element model of the cervical spine (C2-T1) was modified to simulate laminectomy and laminoplasty (open door (ODL) and double door (DDL)) at levels C3-C6. During flexion, after ODL the adjacent levels C2-C3 and C6-C7 showed a 39% and 20% increase in the motion respectively; while no substantial changes were observed at the surgically altered levels. The percent increase in motion after DDL varied from 4.3% to 34.6%. The inclination towards increased motion during flexion after double door laminoplasty explains the role of the lamina-ligamentum flavum complex in the stability of spine. Compared to the intact model, laminectomy at C3-C6 led to a profound increase (37.5% to 79.6%) in motion across the levels C2-C3 to C6-C7. Furthermore, the changes in the von Mises stresses of the intervertebral disc observed after laminoplasty and laminectomy during flexion can be correlated to the changes in the intersegmental motions. An in-vitro biomechanical study was conducted to address the effects of laminoplasty (two-level and four-level) and four-level laminectomy on the flexibility of the cervical spine. Both two-level and four-level laminoplasty resulted in minimal changes in C2-T1 range of motion. For flexion/extension, two-level and multi-level laminoplasty showed an approximate 20% decrease (p>0.05) in the range of motion at C4-C5 and C2-C3 respectively due to the encroachment of the spinous process into the opened lamina. The decrease was mostly observed in older specimens and specimens with adjacent laminae close to each other; thus leading to the encroachment of the spinous process into the opened lamina. Laminectomy resulted in a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in the range of motion compared to the intact condition during the three loading modes. These results correspond well with the finite element predictions, where a four-level ODL and laminectomy resulted in a minimal 5.4% and a substantial 57.5% increase in C2-T1 motion respectively during flexion. Adaptive bone remodeling theory was applied to the open door laminoplasty model to understand the effect of the surgical procedure on the internal architecture of bone. Bone remodeling was implemented at the C5 vertebra by quantifying the changes in apparent bone density in terms of the mechanical stimulus (i.e. SED/density). After laminoplasty, the increased load distribution through the bony hinge region led to the increased bone density during extension. This increased bone density could eventually lead to bone formation in those regions through external remodeling. The current study proved laminoplasty to be a motion preservation technique wherein the plates and spacer provided additional stability via reconstruction of the laminar arch while laminectomy can cause instability of spine especially during flexion. In the future, patient-specific finite element models that incorporate geometry-related differences could be developed to optimize the number of operated levels and to further explain the effect of surgical procedure on the unaltered levels.

碩士
國立臺灣大學
物理治療學研究所
88
Objectives：The purposes of this study were, 1) to examine the test-retest reliability of measurement of head reposition, 2) to assess the influences of age on head reposition in healthy adults, and 3) to analyze the head reposition of patients with mild cervical spondylosis. Background ： The test-retest reliability of reposition measurement has been reported in the joints of extremities and the lumbar spine, but not in the cervical spine. The accuracy of reposition has been used to indicate proprioception. The proprioception of weight-bearing joints tended to decresae with age. However, the effect of age has not been investigated on the cervical joint. Patients with cervical problem such as whiplash injury and chronic pain also showed decreased proprioception. But, there was no study to investigate the proprioception of patients with cervical degenerated disease. Methods： Ultrasonic motion analyzer (Zebris) was used to measure head reposition ability. There were three groups of subject: 20 healthy young adults, 20 healthy middle-age subjects, and 20 patients with mild cervical spondylosis in this study. Two assessment methods, the active-active neutral head reposition and the passive-active target head reposition, were used to test the proprioception of the neck in six main movement directions (flexion/extension, rotation to left/right, side-bending to left/right). The reliability of the reposition tests was indicated by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Effect of age and disease on constant error (CE), variable error (VE), and root mean square error (RMSE) of repositioning performance were analyzed by a general linear model (GLM). Significant level was set at 0.05. Results： The test-retest reliability for most of test directions was fair to good in variables of CE and RMS. The test-retest reliability for most of test directions was poor in variables of VE. With active-active neutral head reposition test, the age was a significant factor in CE and RMSE at flexion/extension direction, and side-bending to both sides except in RMSE at side-bending to the left. With passive-active target reposition test, the age was a significant factor in RMSE at each test direction except side-bending to the right; while age factor was significant in CE at rotation to both sides and at side-bending to the left. The disease was a significant factor in CE at flexion direction, and in VE at extension direction with active-active neutral head reposition test. Conclusions：The active-active neutral head test and passive-active target test were reliable methods to assess reposiiton. Subjects aged between 45-65 year old, including the patients and normal adults, showed decreased accuracy with reposition evaluation. Patients with mild cervical spondylosis showed decrease of reposition in flexion/extension direction. This result emphasized the importance of the neck proprioception training for the middle-age population and patients with mild cervical spondylosis.

碩士
國立臺灣大學
物理治療學研究所
89
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are difference in the force sense and antagonist muscle activity of the neck among normal young, normal middle-aged adults, and middle-aged patients with cervical spondylosis. Background: The prevalence of cervical degeneration (grade 2-4) was about 60% in the population aged between 45-64 years, and was about 70-85% in the population aged above 65 years. The proprioception of joints declines with age, and is further impaired by joint damage. In most of the previous studies, the proprioception was evaluated in the aspect of joint position sense or movement sense. The force sense associated with muscle contractions in patients with cervical spondylosis has not been investigated. Methods: Nineteen normal young adults (NY group, age: 22.9±3.6), 19 normal middle-aged adults (NM group, age: 55.4±5.0), and 18 patients with cervical spondylosis (CS group, age: 51.4±6.1) were recruited in this study. The surface EMG and the force transducer were used to measure the neck muscle activity and the force generated by neck muscles, respectively. The maximal force and the maximal EMG were recorded while performing isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the neck in flexion and extension. The technique: ‘maintenance of constant force’ was used to evaluate the force sense of the neck. The subjects performed 25% or 50% of MVC in neck flexion or extension with visual feedback, then maintained a constant force lasting for 10 seconds with eyes-closed. While performing the test, the antagonist EMG and the force output was recorded for further analysis. The dependent variables: percentage absolute error (pAE), percentage constant error (pCE), and percentage root-mean-square error (pRMSE) were used to evaluate the force sense of the neck. In addition, the percentage EMG (pEMG) was used to evaluate the antagonist muscle activity of the neck. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the means of dependent variables among three groups. Results: The pAE and pRMSE were significantly higher in CS group than in NY group during isometric neck flexion with 50% of MVC (p<0.05). The pCE was significantly higher in CS group than in NY group and NM group during isometric neck flexion with 25% and 50% of MVC (p<0.05). The pEMG of neck extensor during isometric neck flexion was significantly higher in CS group than in NY group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The natural aging processes did not significantly cause changes of force sense and antagonist muscle activity in middle-aged adults. The pathological processes of cervical spondylosis caused partial impairment of force sense during neck flexion. The co-effects of pathological and natural aging processes significantly declined the force sense during neck flexion with moderate force level of contraction (50% of MVC), and also increased antagonist muscle activity during neck flexion. The decline of force sense of the neck in the CS group could be caused by transformation of ventral neck muscle fibers.

Dissertation submitted in the partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 1997.
Symptomatic cervical spondylosis is a common condition in patients over the age of forty. This condition has been successfully treated by means of chiropractic adjusting. However, to date little research has been conducted to investigate whether the combination of chiropractic adjusting and an alternative therapy may be more effective than just chiropractic treatment alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the combination of chiropractic adjusting and an Anthroposophical remedy, Disci comp.cum Stanno, would be more effective in the treatment of symptomatic cervical spondylosis than chiropractic adjustments alone. It was hypothesized that cervical spine manipulation, and the combination of chiropractic adjusting and the Disci remedy would both be effective in the treatment of symptomatic cervical spondylosis. Moreover, with reference to objective and subjective clinical findings, it was assumed that the combined chiropractic adjustments and the Disci remedy would be more effective than chiropractic adjusting alone. The study was a controlled, double-blind clinical trial consisting of thirty patients, fifteen comprising the control group and fifteen the experimental group. The age range of the sample group was from forty to seventy-nine years. The patients were randomly divided into the two groups. The control group was treated with chiropractic adjustments to the
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Cette étude a été subventionnée par le Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQ-S, grant # 21230 – 2)
Les infiltrations foraminales cervicales sont associées à un risque de complications neurologiques majeures. Cette étude compare l’efficacité des infiltrations facettaires, plus sécuritaires, à celle des infiltrations foraminales dans le traitement de la cervico-brachialgie secondaire à une spondylose et/ou à une hernie discale, à 4 semaines post traitement. Cinquante-six sujets ont été randomisés pour recevoir une infiltration foraminale (15 hommes, 13 femmes ; âge moyen 52 ans) ou facettaire (8 hommes, 20 femmes ; âge moyen 44 ans). L’issue principale était l’intensité de la douleur mesurée sur une échelle visuelle analogique (0 – 100). Les issues secondaires étaient le Neck Disability Index et le Medication Quantitative Scale. Suivant les analyses en intention-de-traiter et en intention-du-protocole, pour un score de douleur initial moyen, une réduction significative de l’intensité de la douleur a été observée avec les infiltrations facettaires [45.3% (95%CI: 21.4; 69.2) et 37.0% (95%CI: 9.2; 64.7)] contrairement aux infiltrations foraminales [9.8% (95%CI: +11.5; 31.2) et 17.8% (95%CI: +6.6; 42.2)]. Les infiltrations facettaires ont procuré une amélioration cliniquement (mais non statistiquement) significative du Neck Disability Index [24.3% (95%CI: +2.9; 51.5) et 20.7% (95%CI: +6.2; 47.6),], contrairement aux infiltrations foraminales [9.6% (95%CI: +15.2; 34.4) et 12.8% (95%CI: +11.2; 36.7)]. Les infiltrations facettaires étaient au moins aussi efficaces que les infiltrations foraminales pour un score initial de douleur ≤ 60, alors que l’analyse de non infériorité n’était pas concluante pour un score initial ≥ 80, de même que pour le Neck Disability Index. Les infiltrations n’ont pas été associées à une réduction du score de Medication Quantitative Scale. Les infiltrations facettaires sont efficaces dans le traitement de la névralgie cervico-brachiale et représentent une alternative valable et plus sécuritaire aux infiltrations foraminales.
Transforaminal corticosteroid injections can be performed in the management of cervical radiculopathy but carry the risk of catastrophic complications. This study compares the efficacy of transforaminal and facet corticosteroid injections at 4 weeks post treatment. We randomly assigned 56 subjects to receive CT-guided transforaminal (15 men, 13 women; mean age 52 years; range 28 – 72 years) or facet (8 men, 20 women; mean 44 years; range 26 – 60 years) injections. The primary outcome was pain severity rated on a visual analog scale (0-100). Secondary outcome measures were the Neck Disability Index and the Medication Quantitative Scale. In the intention-to-treat and as-treated analyses, for a mean baseline score, facet injections demonstrated a significant pain score reduction of 45.3% (95%CI: 21.4; 69.2) and 37.0% (95%CI: 9.2; 64.7), while transforaminal injections showed nonsignificant pain score reduction of 9.8% (95%CI: +11.5; 31.2) and 17.8% (95%CI: +6.6; 42.2). While facet injections demonstrated an improvement in Neck Disability Index score of [24.3% (95%CI: +2.9; 51.5); 20.7% (95%CI: +6.2; 47.6),] as opposed to transforaminal injections [9.6% (95%CI: +15.2; 34.4); 12.8% (95%CI: +11.2; 36.7)], the results did not reach statistical significance. Noninferiority of facet to transforaminal injections was demonstrated for baseline pain score ≤ 60, while noninferiority analysis was inconclusive for baseline pain score ≥ 80 and for the Neck Disability Index score. Neither intervention showed a significant medication intake score reduction over time. Facet injections are effective for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and represent a valid and safer alternative to transforaminal injections.

PURPOSE: The objective was to determine if particular magnetic resonance, clinical and demographic findings were associated with functional status prior to surgery and predictive of functional outcomes at follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 65 consecutive CSM patients. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale (mJOA) was used as the primary outcome measure. Higher baseline mJOA scores were associated with younger age, shorter duration of symptoms, fewer compressed segments and less severe cord compression. Better post-operative mJOA scores were associated with younger age, shorter duration of symptoms and higher baseline scores. Using multivariate analysis, baseline and follow-up mJOA scores adjusted for baseline mjOA score were best predicted by age. CONCLUSION: Age and clinical severity scores at admission can both provide valuable information. However, MR imaging features of the spinal cord before surgery cannot accurately predict the functional prognosis for patients with CSM and hence alternative imaging approaches may be required.

碩士
長庚大學
物理治療學系
107
Background and Purposes: The prevalence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) increased with aging. The sensory and motor problems of CSM usually influence the patient's daily function and quality of life. The severe cases eventually need the surgical treatment. However, the problems of head control ability usually remain after surgical intervention. Exercises supervised by physiotherapists are usually time and manpower consuming. Nowadays, there are lots of therapeutic exercises can improve the head control ability of neck pain patients. The purpose of our study is to investigate whether these exercises via the home training are effective for the post-surgical CSM patients. Method: After spinal decompression surgery, subjects received eight-week smart home-based exercise with the head-mounted rehabilitation equipment which was developed by our laboratory. Then, the subjects would be divided into high completion group and low completion group according to their exercise status. Subjects were evaluated by physiotherapist at pre-surgery, post-3month and post-exercise. The assessment included Numeric rating scale (NRS), Taiwanese version of neck disability index (NDI), Chinese version of Japanese orthopedic association cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire (JOACMEQ), functional tests of upper and lower limbs, cervical range of motion (ROM), cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, maximal neck muscle strength and slow movement test. After eight-week exercise, exercise status was recorded and Taiwanese version of Quebec user evaluation of satisfaction with assistive technology (T-QUEST) and chinese version of psychosocial impact of assistive devices scale (PIADS) were given. The nonparametric analysis, including the Friedman test and Mann-Whitney U test, were used to identify the difference of the measurements in terms of the time periods and groups respectively, and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used examine the correlation among the measurements. Results: 14 males and 5 females were recruited in our study. The high completion group revealed that the home-based exerecises help to decrease NDI scores significantly, and improved pain status and JOACMEQ performance. The functional performance of hand and foot were improved significantly. Cervical ROM was close to that in the pre-surgery status especially in extension and rotation movements. Maximal neck muscle strength significantly increased. Muscle activation significantly decreased during the slow movement test. The NRS significantly associated with NDI, quality of life, muscle strength, proprioception and muscle activation. The cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility significantly associated with the ROM and muscle activation. The muscle activation significantly associated with ROM and muscle strength. The participants showed the middle level of satisfaction of equipment. Conclusion: This study found that function of the post-surgical CSM patients could be further improved through the smart home-based exercise. The subjects who followed the recommendation in eight-week exercise showed the benefits of relieved neck pain, increased cervical ROM and muscle strength, improved proprioception, and improved muscle activation and quality of life. Future studies are suggested to incorporate with the automatic reminder to facilitate the participation of the home exercise and to optimize the head-mounted goggle to ameliorate the comfortability so that patients can get the best treatment effects after surgery.

Based on contemporary theoretical knowledge in this prospective study we outline the relationship between a chosen surgical approach (anterior or posterior approach) as it relates to the localization of spinal cord lesion (anterior or posterior spinal pathways) assessed by the use of evoked potentials (SEP, MEP) and the effect of this approach on the postoperative state of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Furthermore we evaluate clinical outcome of these patients according to several aspects of their MRI and X-ray findings. The study, from 2006 to 2010, comprised 65 patients with clinical signs of cervical myelopathy. These patients had been indicated for surgery, which subsequently was performed by using either the front (anterior - a) or back (posterior - p) approach. The patients were assessed using Nurick and mJOA scores before surgery, then at 12 months, and finally 24 months after surgery. In addition, they were preoperatively examined with a battery of evoked potentials (EP) - somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and motor evoked potential (MEP) tests. Based on EP, principal spinal cord disability was determined: A - anterior (maximum changes in MEP), P - posterior - maximum change in SEP). The entire group was, on the basis of EP partitioning and the surgical approach used, divided...

Αν και η Αυχενική Σπονδυλωτική Μυελοπάθεια (ΑΣΜ) αποτελεί την πιο κοινή αιτία δυσλειτουργίας νωτιαίου μυελού στους ενήλικες άνω των 55 ετών, οι μοριακοί μηχανισμοί παραμένουν άγνωστοι. Μέχρι σήμερα, πολλές προσπάθειες έχουν διενεργηθεί για την ανάπτυξη ενός αξιόπιστου πειραματικού μοντέλου AΣΜ. Ωστόσο, αρκετά μειονεκτήματα εμφανίζονται σε αυτές τις μελέτες. Στη παρούσα μελέτη έχουμε σκοπό τη δημιουργία ενός νέου, πρωτότυπου πειραματικού μοντέλου ΑΣΜ, το οποίο εξομοιώνει τα ιστολογικά και κλινικά χαρακτηριστικά της ανθρωπίνης νόσου. Mεθοδολογία: Μετά από αφαίερεση του πετάλου του έβδομου αυχενικού σπονδύλου, ένα λεπτό τεμάχιο αρωματικού πολυαιθέρα τοποθετήθηκε κάτω από το πέταλο του έκτου αυχενκού σπονδύλου σε κόνικλους Νέας Ζηλανδίας (Ομάδα ΧΠΠ). Σε μία άλλη ομάδα πειραματόζωων ο αρωματικός πολυαιθέρας αφαιρέθηκε 30 δευτερόλεπτα μετά την εμφύτευση (ομάδα ελέγχου). Νευρολογική εκτίμηση πραγματοποιήθηκε χρησιμοποιώντας τη κλίμακα του Tarlov μετά το πέρας της χειρουργικής διαδικασίας και ακολούθως εβδομαδιαίως. Ηλεκτροφυσιολογικές μελέτες πραγματοποιήθηκαν στις 20 εβδομάδες μετά το χειρουργείο και πριν από τη θυσία των πειραματόζωων. Ακολούθησαν ιστολογικές και ανοσοιστοχημικές μελέτες. Αποτελέσματα: Τα πειραματόζωα που άνηκαν στην ομάδα ελέγχου δεν εμφάνισαν νευρολογικά ελλείμματα κατά τη διάρκεια της μελέτης. Αντιθέτως τα πειραματόζωα που άνηκαν στη ΧΠΠ εμφάνισαν νευρολογικά ελλείματα. Στους νωτιαίους μυελούς προερχόμενους από την ΧΠΠ ομάδα ανεδείχθησαν οι χαρακτηριστικές ιστοπαθολογικές αλλοιώσεις της χρόνιας μυελοπάθειας. Ειδικότερα, ανεδείχθη σπογγώδης εκφύλιση της λευκής ουσίας, διάμεσο οίδημα και αποπλάτυνση των πρόσθιων κεράτων της φαιάς ουσίας. Επίσης ανεδείχθη κατακρήμνιση του μυελικού σάκου και διόγκωση του δακτυλίου της μυελίνης. Τέλος, η χρόνια πίεση του νωτιαίου οδήγησε σε ενεργοποίηση της απόπτωσης και διαταραχή της αρχιτεκτονικής του μικροαγγειακού συστήματος του νωτιαίου μυελού Συμπέρασμα: Το πρωτότυπο μοντέλο ΑΣΜ στους κονίκλους ποσομοιώνει το χωρικό και χρονικό προφίλ της ανθρώπινης νόσου στο σημείο της πίεσης του νωτιαίου μυελού. ΜΕΛΕΤΗ B Εισαγωγή: Η φλεγμονή, η δημιουργία ουλώδους ιστού και η διαταραχή του μικροαγγειακού συστήματος του νωτιαίου μυελού είναι ορισμένα από τα κύρια παθοφυσιολογικά φαινόμενα της ΑΣΜ. Ωστόσο οι μοριακοί μηχανισμοί που εμπλέκονται σε αυτά τα φαινόμενα κάτω από τη χρόνια και προοδευτική πίεση του νωτιαίου μυελού παραμένουν ανεξερεύνητα. Mεθοδολογία: Στη συγκεκριμένη μελέτη χρησιμοποιήθηκε το πειραματικό μοντέλο ΑΣΜ που περιγράφεται στη μελέτη Α με σκοπό να διερευνηθεί ο ρόλος του NF-κB και των πρωτεινών της εξωκυττάριας ουσίας στην ΑΣΜ. Εν συντομία, κόνικλοι Νέας Ζηλανδίας (διαφορετικά πειραματόζωα από εκείνα της μελέτης Α) χωρίστηκαν τυχαία σε δύο ομάδες: την ομάδα ΧΠΠ (n=15) και την ομάδα ελέγχου (n=15). Η έκφραση των πρωτεινών των υπομονάδων p50 και p65 του NF-kB, όπως επίσης και των ενζύμων διάσπασης της εξωκυττάριας ουσίας (MMP-2, MMP-9) και του ενεργοποιητή του πλασμινογόνου τύπου ουροκινάσης (urokinase-type plasminogen activator; u-PA) αξιολογήθηκαν σε τομές νωτιαίων μυελών προερχόμενων και από τις δύο ομάδες χρησιμοποιώντας ανοσοιστοχημική τεχνική. Στατιστική ανάλυση πραγματοποιήθηκε χρησιμοποιώντας SPSS για Windows, release 12.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Αποτελέσματα: Σε τομές νωτιαίων μυελών που προέρχονταν από πειραματόζωα που έπασχαν από ΑΣΜ αναδείχθηκε στατιστικά σημαντικά αυξημένη έκφραση των υπομονάδων του NF-κB (p50 & p65), όπως επίσης και των ενζύμων MMP-2, MMP-9, and u-PA σε σύγκριση με εκείνες που προέρχονταν από την ομάδα ελέγχου. Τέλος, σημαντικά θετική συσχέτιση παρατηρήθηκε μεταξύ των επιπέδων έκφρασης του NF-κB και εκείνων των MMP-9, MMP-2, and u-PA. Συμπέρασμα: Τα ευρήματα αυτά αποτελούν ισχυρές ενδείξεις πως η χρόνια και προοδευτική πίεση του αυχενικού νωτιαίου μυελού οδηγεί σε αυξημένη έκφραση των MMP-2, MMP-9 και u-PA πιθανόν μέσω της δράσης του μεταγραφικού παράγοντα NF-κB. Είναι βέβαιο ότι περισσότερες μελέτες απαιτούνται για την εξακρίβωση του ρόλου των πρωτεινών αυτών στην ΑΣΜ.
Although cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) represents the most common cause of spinal cord impairment among individuals over 55 years old, the molecular mechanisms of the disease remain mainly unknown. To date, many experimental studies have been conducted to establish a reliable model of CSM, however most of them appear some limitations. In this study we aim to create a new animal model of CSM, which will reproduce the temporal course of the human disease and the local microenvironment at the site of spinal cord compression. Methods: Following C7 posterior laminectomy, a thin sheet of aromatic polyether was implanted underneath C5–C6 laminae of the New Zealand rabbits. A sham group in which the material was removed 30 sec after the implantation was also included. Motor function evaluation was performed after the material implantation and weekly thereafter using the Tarlov classification. At 20 weeks post-material implantation electrophysiological studies were also conducted. All the animals were sacrificed 20 weeks post-material implantation and histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed. Results: Clinical evaluation of animals after operation reveals no symptoms and signs of acute spinal cord injury. Moreover, no neurological deficits were noticed in the sham group during the course of the study. However, the animals which underwent implantation of compression material exhibited progressive neurological deficits throughout the study. Rabbits of the compression group experienced significant increased axonal swelling and demyelination, interstitial edema and myelin sheet fragmentation. Histological evaluation of C5 and C6 laminae (at the site of implantation) reveals osteophyte formation. Moreover, the chronic and progressive compression of the cervical spinal cord resulted in induction of apoptosis as well as in disruption of the basement membrane of vessels. Conclusion: The proposed rabbit CSM model reproduces the temporal evolution of the disease and creates a local microenvironment at the site of spinal cord compression, which shares similar features with that of human disease. STUDY B Introduction: Inflammation, glial scar formation and disruption of spinal cord microvasculature represent some of the principal neuropathological features of CSM. However, the molecular mechanisms which are implicated in these pathophysiological phenomena under the chronic and progressive compression of the cervical spinal cord remain interestingly unexplored. Methods: In this study (B) in order to evaluate the role of NF-κB and extracellular matrix proteins in cervical myelopathy we used the rabbit CSM model which was extensively characterized in study A. Briefly New Zealand rabbits (different cohort of animals than that of the study A) were randomly and blindly divided into the following two groups: CSM (n=15) and sham group (n=15). The expression pattern of p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kB, as well as that of MMP-2, MMP-9, and u-PA, was evaluated in spinal cord sections coming from both groups using immunohistochemistry technique. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows, release 12.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Results: CSM animals exhibited statistically significant increased immuoreactivity in both NF-κB subunits, p50 and p65. Moreover, the levels MMP-2, MMP-9, and u-PA were found to be significantly increased in CSM animals compared to controls. Finally, strong positive correlation between NF-κB subunits immunoreactivity and that of MMP-9, MMP-2, and u-PA was demonstrated. Conclusion: The NF-κB pathway as well as the extracellular matrix proteins (MMP-2 and MMP-9) are involved in CSM. However, more studies are needed to clarify the functional role of these molecules in the pathobiology of CSM.