Cervical Segmental Motion at Levels Adjacent to Disc Herniation as Determined With Kinetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e3181b20054
• Publication Date: 2009-10-13T07:15:46Z
• Authors: Scott D. Daffner; Jiang Xin; Cyrus E. Taghavi; Henry J. Hymanson; Chethan Mudiyam; Wei Hongyu; Jeffrey C. Wang
• Keywords: Disc herniation

In Brief Study design. Retrospective radiographic review. Objective. To investigate the effects of cervical disc herniation on kinematics at adjacent vertebral motion segments. Summary Background Data. Kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI) is an alternative method to conventional MRI, which allows evaluation spine in a more physiologic, weight-bearing position, and acquisition images flexion, extension, neutral alignment. kMRI has previously been used evaluate degeneration kinematics. Methods. A total 407 patients with neck pain without prior history surgery were evaluated using kMRI. Translational motion, angular variation, height measured each segment from C2–C3 through C7–T1. Other factors including degree degeneration, age, gender, location analyzed order determine any predisposing risk for segmental instability herniations. Results. Spinal levels above exhibited, average, 7.2% decrease translational per mm (P = 0.0113), significant change motion. Levels below demonstrated 5.2% 0.0236) The had no effect level Disc impact levels, although correlated decreased increased below. Conclusion. Although height, variation are significantly affected herniation, changes apparent Our results indicate that herniated discs have ROM regardless or size suggesting natural progression disease may be separate, unrelated processes within spine. who previous underwent kinetic MRI. showed segments, not related pre-existing anomaly disc.