Pattern of findings of cervical spine disease on MRI and their clinical correlation as seen at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cervical spine diseases especially neck pain and stiffness have so far been a common and neglected problem in our settings. These diseases compete with low back pain as leading causes of absence from work. The precise management protocol is still an open question. This study tries to account the pattern of cervical spine disease as seen at Kenyatta National Hospital. ** METHOD: Prospective study. Patients presenting with symptoms referable to cervical spine and were subsequently interrogated by MR examination of the cervical spine were recruited for the study. ** RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were recruited. Age ranges from -; months to X 1 years. f IUIC males ()YYr,) were recruited. Main symptom necessitating cervical spine iv1 R was neck pain and stiffness followed by upper limb weakness and numbness, The commonest finding was disc disease accounting lor 4W~;, ofthe cases. Other findings included tumors and tumor like conditions, myelomalacia, cervical stenosis, spondylolisthesis and Chiari Information. Only one patient representing 1% of the cases required further investigation after MR. ** CONCLUSION: MR is a valuable investigation ill patients presenting with cervical spine disease.