Correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and radiographic measurement of cervical spine in cervical myelopathic patients.

PURPOSE To correlate the radiographic measurement, cord diameter shown on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and clinical hand sign of cervical myelopathic patients. METHODS Patients with clinical cervical myelopathy who had had MRI in Kwong Wah Hospital between January 2001 and December 2002 were enlisted. Their cervical spine radiographs and clinical records were reviewed. RESULTS Of 36 patients with a complete set of MRI films, cervical spine radiographs, and clinical notes; 18% did not have Hoffman's sign, 47% had normal supinator reflex, 39% had unimpaired 10-second test, and 45% showed no finger escape sign. The presence of myelopathic hand signs was not correlated to any radiological assessment, cord diameter, or presence of myelomalacia at any level. CONCLUSION Cervical spine radiography cannot predict the level and degree of cervical spinal cord compression. Myelopathic hand signs are not diagnostically fail-safe and cannot predict the level and degree of cord compression.