KINEMATIC MRI OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE IN PA TIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE DISEASE

Aim: To evaluate functional stenosis of the cervical spine, kinematic MRI was performed in 23 healthy volunteers and 23 patients with degene rative disease. Material and method: Kinematic MRI of the cervical spi ne was done from 50 degrees of inclination to 30 degrees of reclinatio n. Depending on the maximum inclination and reclination the range of m otion was divided into 9 equal angle positions. At each angle position sagittal T-2 weighted gradient echo sequences were performed. Result s: In relation to the neutral position a physiological narrowing of th e ventral epidural space was seen in healthy volunteers at inclination (50 degrees) in up to 50% and respectively widening at reclination (3 0 degrees) in up to 10%. An increase of spinal canal stenosis or even spinal cord compression was seen at inclination in 5 patients (22%) an d in 15 patients (65%) at reclination. No change of spinal canal steno sis was found in three patients (13%). Conclusion: In patients with de generative disease of the cervical spine kinematic MRI demonstrated in some patients functional spinal canal stenosis with myelon compressio n which was not seen in standard MRI. Therefore kinematic MR imaging c an be recommended as a complementary examination in the early detectio n of functional myelon compression and in planning the further therape utic work-up.