Management of mild degenerative cervical myelopathy and asymptomatic spinal cord compression: an international survey
Journal
Spinal Cord
ISSN
1362-4393
1476-5624
Date Issued
2023
Author(s)
Jamie F. M. Brannigan
Benjamin M. Davies
Oliver D. Mowforth
Vishal Kumar
Joost Dejaegher
Rory K. J. Murphy
Manjul Tripathi
David B. Anderson
James Harrop
Granit Molliqaj
Guy Wynne-Jones
Jose Joefrey F. Arbatin
So Kato
Manabu Ito
Jefferson Wilson
Ronie Romelean
Nicolas Dea
Daniel Graves
Enrico Tessitore
Allan R. Martin
Aria Nouri
Type
journal-article
Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Study design</jats:title>
<jats:p>Cross-sectional survey.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Objective</jats:title>
<jats:p>Currently there is limited evidence and guidance on the management of mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and asymptomatic spinal cord compression (ASCC).</jats:p>
<jats:p>Anecdotal evidence suggest variance in clinical practice. The objectives of this study were to assess current practice and to quantify the variability in clinical practice.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
<jats:p>Spinal surgeons and some additional health professionals completed a web-based survey distributed by email to members of AO Spine and the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) North American Society. Questions captured experience with DCM, frequency of DCM patient encounters, and standard of practice in the assessment of DCM. Further questions assessed the definition and management of mild DCM, and the management of ASCC.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Results</jats:title>
<jats:p>A total of 699 respondents, mostly surgeons, completed the survey. Every world region was represented in the responses. Half (50.1%, <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 359) had greater than 10 years of professional experience with DCM. For mild DCM, standardised follow-up for non-operative patients was reported by 488 respondents (69.5%). Follow-up included a heterogeneous mix of investigations, most often at 6-month intervals (32.9%, <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 158). There was some inconsistency regarding which clinical features would cause a surgeon to counsel a patient towards surgery. Practice for ASCC aligned closely with mild DCM. Finally, there were some contradictory definitions of mild DCM provided in the form of free text.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title>
<jats:p>Professionals typically offer outpatient follow up for patients with mild DCM and/or asymptomatic ASCC. However, what this constitutes varies widely. Further research is needed to define best practice and support patient care.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:title>Study design</jats:title>
<jats:p>Cross-sectional survey.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Objective</jats:title>
<jats:p>Currently there is limited evidence and guidance on the management of mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and asymptomatic spinal cord compression (ASCC).</jats:p>
<jats:p>Anecdotal evidence suggest variance in clinical practice. The objectives of this study were to assess current practice and to quantify the variability in clinical practice.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
<jats:p>Spinal surgeons and some additional health professionals completed a web-based survey distributed by email to members of AO Spine and the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) North American Society. Questions captured experience with DCM, frequency of DCM patient encounters, and standard of practice in the assessment of DCM. Further questions assessed the definition and management of mild DCM, and the management of ASCC.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Results</jats:title>
<jats:p>A total of 699 respondents, mostly surgeons, completed the survey. Every world region was represented in the responses. Half (50.1%, <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 359) had greater than 10 years of professional experience with DCM. For mild DCM, standardised follow-up for non-operative patients was reported by 488 respondents (69.5%). Follow-up included a heterogeneous mix of investigations, most often at 6-month intervals (32.9%, <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 158). There was some inconsistency regarding which clinical features would cause a surgeon to counsel a patient towards surgery. Practice for ASCC aligned closely with mild DCM. Finally, there were some contradictory definitions of mild DCM provided in the form of free text.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title>
<jats:p>Professionals typically offer outpatient follow up for patients with mild DCM and/or asymptomatic ASCC. However, what this constitutes varies widely. Further research is needed to define best practice and support patient care.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
Cite this document
Brannigan, J. F. M., Davies, B. M., Mowforth, O. D., Yurac, R., Kumar, V., Dejaegher, J., Zamorano, J. J., Murphy, R. K. J., Tripathi, M., Anderson, D. B., Harrop, J., Molliqaj, G., Wynne-Jones, G., Arbatin, J. J. F., Kato, S., Ito, M., Wilson, J., Romelean, R., Dea, N., … Nouri, A. (2024). Management of mild degenerative cervical myelopathy and asymptomatic spinal cord compression: An international survey. Spinal Cord, 62(2), 51-58. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-023-00945-8