title: Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: What the Neurologist Should Know.
abstract: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a well-known cause of disability among older people. A significant amount of these patients is asymptomatic. Once the symptoms start, the worsening may follow a progressive manner. We should suspect of spondylotic myelopathy in any individual over 55 years presenting progressive changes in gait or losing fine motor control of the upper limbs. Despite its frequent prevalence, this condition is still neglected and many times confused with other supratentorial lesions regarding diagnostic. Here we address some of most important aspects of this disease, calling attention to pathophysiology, the natural history, presentation, differential diagnosis, clinical assessment, and treatment.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Rio de Janeiro; Division of Neurology, Graduate program in Neurology/Neuroscience, USS, Vassouras, RJ.
authors.forename: Celmir
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Vilaça
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Graduate program in Neurology/Neuroscience, USS, Vassouras, RJ; Masters Program in Urgência e Emergencia Médica, USS, Vassouras, RJ.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orsini
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Graduate program in Neurology/Neuroscience , USS, Vassouras, RJ.
authors.forename: Marco A Araujo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Graduate program in Neurology/Neuroscience , USS, Vassouras, RJ.
authors.forename: Marcos R G
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Graduate program in Neurology/Neuroscience , USS, Vassouras, RJ.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davidovich
authors.affiliation: Masters Program in Urgência e Emergencia Médica, USS, Vassouras, RJ; Medicine School, UNIRIO, RJ.
authors.forename: Rossano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.affiliation: Medicine School, UNIRIO , RJ.
authors.forename: Stenio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.affiliation: Medicine School, UNIRIO , RJ.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.affiliation: Neurology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP , Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Acary Bulle
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal Fluminense , Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno Lima
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Pessoa
keywords: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy; Spastic paraparesis; Spondylosis