Cervical degenerative myelopathy (CDM) is a cervical spine condition resulting in clinical manifestations of spinal cord compression related to the chronic, non-traumatic, and progressive narrowing of the cervical spinal canal. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard test to diagnose and assess the severity of CDM. However, the patient is in a neutral and static position during the MRI scan, which may devalue the dynamic factors of CDM, underestimating the risk of spinal cord injury related to cervical spine flexion and extension movements. Dynamic MRI is a promising technique to change this scenario. Therefore, the present review aims to answer the following question: \"Is dynamic MRI of the cervical spine more accurate in diagnosing CDM than conventional MRI?\". We will search for studies in the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and SciELO databases. The search strategy will contain a combination of terms related to cervical myelopathy and magnetic resonance imaging . Two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. The synthesis of results will be descriptive, considering the main findings of the studies about the outcomes of interest.

UNASSIGNED: The Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) is a rehabilitation device that utilizes the \"interactive biofeedback\" hypothesis to facilitate the motion of the device according to the user\'s motion intention and appropriate sensory input evoked by HAL-supported motion. HAL has been studied extensively for its potential to promote walking function in patients with spinal cord lesions, including spinal cord injury.
UNASSIGNED: We performed a narrative review of HAL rehabilitation for spinal cord lesions.
UNASSIGNED: Several reports have shown the effectiveness of HAL rehabilitation in the recovery of walking ability in patients with gait disturbance caused by compressive myelopathy. Clinical studies have also demonstrated potential mechanisms of action leading to clinical findings, including normalization of cortical excitability, improvement of muscle synergy, attenuation of difficulties in voluntarily initiating joint movement, and gait coordination changes.
UNASSIGNED: However, further investigation with more sophisticated study designs is necessary to prove the true efficacy of HAL walking rehabilitation. HAL remains one of the most promising rehabilitation devices for promoting walking function in patients with spinal cord lesions.

UNASSIGNED: There are only rare reports of simultaneous multiple thoracic vertebral, epidural, and congenital cutaneous hemangiomas occurring at the same levels.
UNASSIGNED: A 24-year-old male presented with a progressive paraparesis attributed to multiple vertebral hemangiomas (MVH) with epidural extension (i.e. resulting in D1-D3 significant cord compression.), plus congenital cutaneous lesions at the D2-D7 levels. Following preoperative angioembolisation, a D1-D7 laminectomy was performed along with a C7-D8 pedicle screw fixation. Pathologically the bone and cutaneous lesions were spinal cavernous hemangiomas. Postoperatively, the patient regained normal function. As complete excision was not feasible, he subsequently received radiotherapy to prevent tumor recurrence.
UNASSIGNED: MVH with multilevel epidural extension resulting in significant cord compression and congenital cutaneous lesions should undergo attempted tumor excision followed by radiation therapy where complete removal is not feasible.

The authors describe an extremely rare case of spinal osseous epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SOEAVFs) with unique characteristic features. A 25-year-old man presented with progressive weakness and paresthesia of the lower extremities for 1 month. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed an extradural dilated vascular flow void structure extending from T4 to T8 levels with abnormal hyperintense T2 signal from T6 to T8 levels. Magnetic resonance angiography and spinal angiography revealed unique features of SOEAVF supplied by multiple small arterial feeders of intercostal arteries converging into a dilated round venous sac corresponding to a bony defect of T7 lamina and spinous process. The venous drainage directly drained into prominent epidural venous plexus extending from the level of T4 to T8 without intradural venous drainage, causing severe compressive myelopathy. Transarterial embolization was performed using N-butyl cyanoacrylate through the main feeder. Subsequently, he successfully underwent laminectomy and total excision of the fistula and large epidural draining venous plexus. Histopathology confirmed spinal vascular malformations with evidence of previous embolization. He gradually improved until being ability to walk independently 3 months later. Follow-up spinal angiography confirmed complete resection of SOEAVF. The patient has remained clinically asymptomatic 5 years after operation.

UNASSIGNED: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) with spondylolisthesis remains not well defined, poorly studied, and underreported and plays a minor role in the therapeutic decision-making. Spondylolisthesis, however, is not uncommon and may result in dynamic injury to the spinal cord. We aim to describe the impact of spondylolisthesis in DCM severity and postoperative outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: Two independent reviewers conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA 2015)-based review between 1970 and May 2020 for articles reporting outcome of DCM in patients with degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis. Patient clinical and radiological data was recorded at baseline and during postoperative follow-up (FU). A meta-analysis comparing surgical outcome between DCM patients with and without spondylolisthesis assessed by the regular/modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Assessment Scale (mJOA) recovery ratio was completed.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 3 studies were included (1 ambispective and 2 retrospective cohorts); 607 patients with DCM were identified, 102 (16.8%) of whom also had spondylolisthesis. DCM patients with spondylolisthesis were significantly older (P < .05), presented with worse baseline mJOA and Nurick grades (P < .05 in 2 studies), and were more commonly operated via posterior approaches (P < .05). All groups experienced a (m)JOA and/or Neck Disability Index score improvement during FU. In the pooled meta-analysis, spondylolisthesis patients showed a significantly lower functional recovery ratio at 2 years compared with other DCM patients (P = .05).
UNASSIGNED: Spondylolisthesis is frequent in older DCM patients and may be a predictor of a more advanced degeneration and subsequent worse baseline conditions and postoperative outcome.

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord injury in developed countries; its prevalence is increasing due to the ageing of the population. DCM causes neurological dysfunction and is a significant cause of disability in the elderly. It has important negative impacts on the quality of life of those affected, as well as on their caregivers. DCM is triggered by a variety of degenerative changes in the neck, which affect one or more anatomical structures, including intervertebral discs, vertebrae, and spinal canal ligaments. These changes can also lead to structural abnormalities, leading to alterations in alignment, mobility, and stability. The principle unifying problem in this disease, regardless of the types of changes present, is injury to the spinal cord due to compression by static and/or dynamic forces. This review is partitioned into three segments that focus on key elements of the past, the present, and the future in the field, which serve to introduce the focus issue on \"Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and the Aging Spine\". Emerging from this review is that tremendous progress has been made in the field, particularly in recent years, and that there are exciting possibilities for further advancements of patient care.

Hirayama disease (HD)/cervical flexion-induced myelopathy (CFIM) is a lower motor neuron disease conventionally affecting a single upper extremity. We describe three men progressing after a long stable period to develop severe spastic paraparesis and bladder disturbances as a protracted implication of HD. The age at onset was 20, 24, and 15 years, while the age at presentation was 27, 41, and 57 years, respectively. The second phase of disease progression occurred after 4, 13, and 28 years of stationary period. All had CFIM with characteristic magnetic resonance imaging features as observed during progressive stages. The anterior dural shift extended variably from C4 to D4 levels with a median value of 5 mm and was maximum at C6 to C7 levels, pushing the cord anteriorly causing compression. This study emphasizes the need to recognize this unusual subgroup of HD and mandates long-term follow-up with timely intervention in arresting the progression/improving the deficits.

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is the most common form of spinal cord impairment in adults and results in disability and reduced quality of life. DCM can present with a wide set of clinical and imaging findings, including: 1) pain and reduced range of motion of the neck, and motor and sensory deficits on clinical exam, and 2) cord compression due to static and dynamic injury mechanisms resulting from degenerative changes of the bone, ligaments, and intervertebral discs on MRI. The incidence and prevalence of DCM has been estimated at a minimum of 4.1 and 60.5 per 100,000, respectively, but surgical trends and an aging population suggest these numbers will rise in the future. The diagnosis of DCM is based on clinical examination, with a positive Hoffmann\'s sign and hand numbness typically appearing in the upper limbs, and gait abnormalities such as difficulty with tandem gait serving as sensitive diagnostic findings. Loss of bladder function may also occur in patients with severe DCM. The degree of neurological impairment can be measured using the modified Japanese Association Scale (mJOA) or Nurick grade. Non-operative management has a limited role in the treatment, while surgical management has been shown to both be safe and effective for halting disease progression and improving neurological function. Predictors of surgical outcome include age and baseline severity, indicating that early recognition of DCM is important for ensuring an optimal surgical outcome.

Degenerative cervical myelopathy encompasses a spectrum of age-related structural changes of the cervical spine that result in static and dynamic injury to the spinal cord and collectively represent the most common cause of myelopathy in adults. Although cervical myelopathy is determined clinically, the diagnosis requires confirmation via imaging, and MRI is the preferred modality. Because of the heterogeneity of the condition and evolution of MRI technology, multiple techniques have been developed over the years in an attempt to quantify the degree of baseline severity and potential for neurological recovery. In this review, these techniques are categorized anatomically into those that focus on bone, ligaments, discs, and the spinal cord. In addition, measurements for the cervical spine canal size and sagittal alignment are also described briefly. These tools have resulted collectively in the identification of numerous useful parameters. However, the development of multiple techniques for assessing the same feature, such as cord compression, has also resulted in a number of challenges, including introducing ambiguity in terms of which methods to use and hindering effective comparisons of analysis in the literature. In addition, newer techniques that use advanced MRI are emerging and providing exciting new tools for assessing the spinal cord in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Plasma Cell neoplasms result from monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells. Solitary extramedullary plasmacytomas (SEMPs) are rare and constitute 5% of all plasma cell disorders. SEMPs most commonly involve upper aerodigestive tract. Isolated spinal epidural space involvement by SEMPs is extremely rare and to best of our knowledge only 7 such cases have been reported previously in available English literature. We hereby present a rare case of thoracic epidural SEMP in a 32-year-old female who presented with thoracic compressive myelopathy and discuss the pertinent literature.