Spinal cord expansion after decompression in XXXX . Investigation by computed tomography myelography and ultrasonography.

@entity1 @entity3799 @entity3057 @entity4720
STUDY DESIGN: This study analyzed anatomic characteristics of 44 @entity1 with @entity3799 . OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to clarify the patterns of spinal cord expansion after decompression, their relationship to clinical recovery, and the capacity of the compressed spinal cord for restoration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No previous studies have clearly assessed the relationship between morphological changes of the spinal cord and clinical improvement after posterior decompression in @entity1 with @entity3799 using computerized tomography myelography and intraoperative spinal sonography. METHODS: Forty-four @entity1 with @entity3799 underwent posterior decompression. The diagnosis was @entity4720 in 26 @entity1 and @entity3057 in 18 @entity1 . The cross-sectional area, sagittal diameter, and frontal diameter of the spinal cord at the level of maximum compression were determined by computerized tomography myelography (performed before and 1 month after decompression) and by intraoperative spinal sonography. RESULTS: Expansion of the spinal cord was defined as immediate or gradual. Of the 44 @entity1 , 20 demonstrated gradual expansion, and their clinical recovery rate was 68.4%. In contrast, the clinical recovery rate of @entity1 without gradual expansion was only 32.6%. Good clinical recovery was significantly related to gradual expansion. The @entity1 were divided into four groups (A-D) based on the clinical recovery rate and compression ratio. Group A (severe compression and poor clinical recovery) showed a significantly smaller cross-sectional area of the spinal cord than Group D (severe compression, but good clinical recovery). CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the cross-sectional area of the spinal cord, even when it is severely compressed and deformed, is an important factor in a good surgical outcome.
