investigations

Last reviewed 07/2023

Helpful investigations in cervical spine spondylosis are:

• MRI - the best investigation, if available

• plain x-ray of cervical spine - look for:
• congenital narrowing of canal, loss of lordosis
• narrowing of disc space and osteophytic protrusion
• subluxation

• cervical myelogram:
• lateral views identify anterior disc bars compressing the cord
• antero-posterior views demonstrate root obliteration/ filling defect arising from disc or osteophyte protrusion

• axial CT - necessary only if no site for compression can be easily demonstrated

Radiological appearances correlate poorly with symptoms.