Article

Recently, sonographic assessment has been considered an alternative method for
evaluating cervical root lesions. The aim of this pilot study was to measure
cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of cervical spinal nerve roots using high-resolution
ultrasonography in patients with cervical radiculopathy, to compare the CSA of
nerve roots between the affected and unaffected sides. Patients with a clinical
diagnosis of unilateral cervical radiculopathy, who were referred to the
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the University General
Hospital by general practitioners, were prospectively recruited. The selected
nerve roots were sonographically imaged at the most proximal location possible,
where they exited over the transverse processor, just distal to that point. The
CSA was measured three times using the trace tool available on the
ultrasonography device. The CSA of each contralateral nerve root served as a
control. Twenty-four patients (9 women; mean age, 53.7 yrs) were enrolled in this
study. The CSAs were measured by ultrasonography in 5 pairs of C5 roots, 12 pairs
of C6 roots, and 7 pairs of C7 roots. The mean CSAs of the affected and
unaffected sides were 9.74 +/- 1.95 and 9.47 +/- 1.95 mm, respectively (P =
0.019). Spearman rank-order correlation test showed a positive relationship
between the CSA of the affected nerve root and the duration of symptoms (rho22 =
0.467, P = 0.021).This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first comparative study
to obtain the CSA of spinal nerve roots in cervical radiculopathy. Increased CSA
of the affected nerve root relative to the unaffected side, as demonstrated by
ultrasonography, may be useful as an additive clue for the diagnosis of cervical
radiculopathy.

Langue : ANGLAIS