Scholarlink

Purpose <p>The pathomechanism of dropped head syndrome (DHS) is unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the features of the paraspinal cervical muscles in patients with DHS by analyzing the volume of these muscles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).</p> Methods <p>Thirty-six patients with DHS and 25 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (controls) were enrolled. The volume analyzer measured the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal muscles on the axial image of a T2-weighted MRI at each level, from C2/3 to C6/7. The histogram used pixel intensities to measure the fat infiltration in the extensor muscles. The data were compared between the groups.</p> Results <p>The CSA of the semispinalis capitis and the splenius capitis and cervicis from the extensor muscles in DHS was larger than that of the control group at almost all levels. The CSAs of other extensor muscles were equivalent to those of the controls. The CSA of the sternocleidomastoideus in DHS was smaller than in the control group at C4/5/6/7. The CSA of any extensor muscle in the chronic group of the DHS was smaller than that of the acute group at the lower levels. The percentage of fat infiltration was not significantly different between the groups.</p> Conclusion <p>MRI analyses of the present study revealed that neither the extensor muscles in DHS were atrophic nor the flexor muscles were hypertrophic. Further, fatty infiltration of the extensor muscles may not induce muscle weakness of the extensors in patients with DHS.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of cervical paraspinal muscles in dropped head syndrome

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月20日

查看全文
  • Kensuke Toriumi,
  • Hiroshi Miyamoto,
  • Terumasa Ikeda,
  • Koji Goto

摘要

Purpose

The pathomechanism of dropped head syndrome (DHS) is unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the features of the paraspinal cervical muscles in patients with DHS by analyzing the volume of these muscles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

Thirty-six patients with DHS and 25 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (controls) were enrolled. The volume analyzer measured the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal muscles on the axial image of a T2-weighted MRI at each level, from C2/3 to C6/7. The histogram used pixel intensities to measure the fat infiltration in the extensor muscles. The data were compared between the groups.

Results

The CSA of the semispinalis capitis and the splenius capitis and cervicis from the extensor muscles in DHS was larger than that of the control group at almost all levels. The CSAs of other extensor muscles were equivalent to those of the controls. The CSA of the sternocleidomastoideus in DHS was smaller than in the control group at C4/5/6/7. The CSA of any extensor muscle in the chronic group of the DHS was smaller than that of the acute group at the lower levels. The percentage of fat infiltration was not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

MRI analyses of the present study revealed that neither the extensor muscles in DHS were atrophic nor the flexor muscles were hypertrophic. Further, fatty infiltration of the extensor muscles may not induce muscle weakness of the extensors in patients with DHS.