Cervical cord atrophy occurs in clinical isolated syndrome (CIS) as well as more progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), a study of 267 patients with CIS or relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 64 healthy controls reports.
Investigators used structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine upper cervical cord cross-sectional area (UCCA) at the level of C2/C3 and adjusted for focal MS lesions. They found:
• UCCA was significantly reduced in CIS patients compared to healthy controls.
• Structural variability was higher in patients than in controls, particularly in the case of focal lesions.
• UCCA and the coefficient of variation (CV) were associated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDDS) sores and disease duration.
• CV was also associated with hand and arm function.
Citation: Biberacher V, Boucard CC, Schmidt P, et al. Atrophy and structural variability of the upper cervical cord in early multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2015;21(7):875-884. doi:10.1177/1352458514546514.