Clinical value of 2-deoxy-[18f]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Abstract

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is one of the most common spinal cord disorders in the elderly. It isusually diagnosed by MRI, but in a significant number of patients the clinical course of CSM does not correlate withthe extent of the spinal cord compression. Recent studies have suggested that a distinct metabolic pattern of the cervicalcord, as assessed by PET with 2-deoxy-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (18F-FDG) may predict a patient's clinical outcomeafter decompressive surgery for cervical spine stenosis. The authors provide an overview of the recent literatureregarding the value of PET with 18F-FDG of the cervical cord in patients with CSM, paying attention to prognosticaspects and the potential role of inflammatory processes in the acute phase of the disease. © AANS, 2013.