Cervical Stenosis Clinical Presentations and Diagnostic Indicators

Common Clinical Presentations

Neck pain with radiating pain in one arm is the most common presentation, accompanied by varying degrees of sensory or motor function loss in the affected nerve-root distribution, according to the American College of Radiology 1
The American College of Radiology recommends considering radiculopathy, which manifests as radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms due to nerve root compression, although this fact is from Praxis Medical Insights, a similar fact from another source is not available 2
Weakness may affect upper and/or lower extremities due to spinal cord compression, as reported by Praxis Medical Insights, however a similar fact from another source is not available 2
Myelopathy signs include gait disturbances and balance problems, fine motor skill deterioration in hands, and bowel or bladder dysfunction in advanced cases, according to Praxis Medical Insights, although a similar fact from another source is not available 2

Cord signal changes on MRI, such as T2-weighted hyperintensity, indicate myelopathy, as reported by Praxis Medical Insights, however a similar fact from another source is not available 2
Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) predisposes patients to progressive narrowing of the spinal canal and/or abutment of the spinal cord, typically presenting in the fifth or sixth decade of life with a 2:1 male-to-female ratio, according to the American College of Radiology 3

Untreated severe compression carries a mortality rate of 16% in cases of cervicomedullary compression, as reported by Praxis Medical Insights, however a similar fact from another source is not available 2
Long periods of severe stenosis can lead to demyelination of white matter and potentially irreversible neurological deficits, according to Praxis Medical Insights, although a similar fact from another source is not available 2