A subclinical impairment of ventilatory function in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ventilatory function in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Medical school in Japan.


METHODS
Thirty-seven consecutive patients with CSM.


METHODS
All the patients had surgical intervention for mild to moderate spastic limb paresis.


METHODS
Analysis of the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) in addition to routine spirometry before and after surgical decompression. Functional assessment was made by using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Scale.


RESULTS
The MVV (% predicted) increased significantly (P<.002) from 77%+/-19% preoperatively to 84%+/-20% postoperatively. None of the other routine spirometric data (ie, vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expired volume in 1 second, peak expiratory flow rate) increased significantly. According to the JOA score, tetraparesis improved significantly (P<.0001) from 8.3+/-3.2 preoperatively to 11.4+/-3.0 postoperatively. The ratio of postoperative to preoperative MVV showed a significant correlation (r=.538, P<.002) with that of the JOA score.


CONCLUSIONS
MVV provides a useful measure for monitoring ventilatory impairment in patients with myelopathy.
Nomura
Takuo
T
Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu Oko-cho Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan.
Tani
Toshikazu
T
Kitaoka
Kenichi
K
Enoki
Hayato
H
Ishida
Kenji
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013147:Spirometry