investigations
Last reviewed 07/2023
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.