cervical myelopathy
Pronunciation: MY-eh-lop-ah-thee
Spinal cord dysfunction in the cervical region causing motor and sensory deficits.
Full Definition
Cervical myelopathy refers to spinal cord dysfunction occurring in the cervical spine, typically resulting from compression or injury to the spinal cord between C1 and C7. This condition can cause a constellation of symptoms including weakness, numbness, difficulty with fine motor control, gait disturbances, and bowel/bladder dysfunction. Cervical myelopathy is most commonly caused by degenerative changes including disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or ossification of spinal ligaments. Early recognition and surgical intervention are crucial as untreated cervical myelopathy can lead to permanent neurological deficits.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from radiculopathy in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The patient presented with classic signs of cervical myelopathy including hand clumsiness and gait instability." — Clinical assessment
- "MRI revealed severe cervical myelopathy with cord signal changes at C5-C6." — Imaging report