The aim of the present study is to use MEPs for the functional assessment of spinal cord before and after surgery and to correlate changes in MEPs with clinical findings.
This is a retrospective cohort study.
Thirty-eight patients affected by CSM who underwent surgical intervention.
We used the 18-point modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score for clinical evaluation and the central motor conduction time (CMCT) for the study of MEPs.
All patients were evaluated both clinically and neurophysiologically before (7-15?days) and after (6-12 months) surgery. MEPs were recorded from the biceps, abductor digiti minimi, and tibialis anterior muscles bilaterally.
After surgery, the 18-point mJOA score increased significantly from 10.1 to 15.1, and the value of CMCT for tibialis anterior muscles showed a slight but significant reduction, more evident in patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
Early surgical intervention for CSM could produce a beneficial effect on spinal cord functionality that can be detected by MEPs.