Table 5 MRI evaluation of the cervical spine morphology
Cases (n = 20) | Controls (n = 18) | p Valuea | |
|---|---|---|---|
Kyphosis | 2 (10%) | 0 (0%) | 0.49 |
Tonsillar ectopia | 0 (0%) | 3 (17%) | 0.10 |
C0/C1 and C1/C2 | |||
Lateral atlas displacement (> 2 mm) | 1 (5%) | 2 (12%)b | 0.58 |
Alar ligament signal changes | 6 (30%) | 2 (11%) | 0.24 |
Transverse ligament signal changes | 4 (20%) | 1 (6%) | 0.34 |
Lateral joint degeneration C0/C1 | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 1.00 |
Lateral joint degeneration C1/C2 | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 1.00 |
C2/C3—C7/Th1 | |||
Reduced disc height | 8 (40%) | 3 (17%) | 0.16 |
Abnormal disc contour | 11 (55%) | 8 (44%) | 0.75 |
Modic changes type 1 | 2 (10%) | 2 (11%) | 1.00 |
Modic changes type 2 | 1 (5%) | 1 (6%) | 1.00 |
Modic changes mixed type 1 and 2 | 2 (10%) | 0 (0%) | 0.49 |
Uncovertebral joint degeneration | 11 (55%) | 7 (39%) | 0.35 |
Facet joint degeneration | 6 (30%) | 4 (22%) | 0.72 |
Neural foraminal stenosis | 3 (15%) | 0 (0%) | 0.23 |
Spinal canal stenosis | 1 (5%) | 1 (6%) | 1.00 |
Vertebral artery loop | 1 (5%) | 5 (28%) | 0.08 |