MRI Assessment of Cervical Nerve Compression in Symptomatic Patients

Abstract

Cervical nerve compression is a prevalent condition that can lead to debilitating symptoms such as neck pain, radiculopathy, and motor weakness. Accurate diagnosis is critical for effective management, with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) emerging as the gold standard for evaluating cervical spine pathology. To evaluate the correlation between MRI findings of cervical nerve compression and clinical presentations (neck pain, radiculopathy, and neurological deficits) while assessing the diagnostic accuracy of MRI, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Ghurki Trust and Teaching Hospital (IRB /FAHS/Allied-HS/10/24/MS/RS-3602) from May to October 2024. A sample size of 104 patients presenting with neck pain was selected, excluding those with a history of previous cervical spine surgeries. All patients underwent MRI using a 0.5 Tesla machine. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics, while chi-square tests assessed associations between categorical variables. Correlation tests have assessed associations between clinical symptoms and MRI features, setting the p-value for statistical significance less than 0.05. The study investigated 104 patients with cervical nerve compression. There were 83 (79.8%) patients with a history of desktop work, 13(12.5%) with diabetes, and 45 (43.3%) with hypertension. In addition to stiffness in 67 (64%) individuals, the most frequently reported symptoms were numbness or tingling and radiating pain in 77 (74%) patients. The MRI Findings comprised a variety of diseases evaluated on T1, T2, and axial imaging; the most prevalent conditions were herniated discs reported in 41(39.4%) patients, cervical stenosis in 49 (47%) patients, and postural problems in 83 (79.8%) patients. Infections also occurred in 31(29.8%) patients, and 22(21.2%) individuals had degenerative disc disease and arthritis, respectively. In order to effectively treat cervical nerve compression, these findings highlight the necessity of comprehensive examinations and focused management approaches. MRI assessment is vital for diagnosing cervical nerve compression in symptomatic patients, as it identifies critical pathologies like cervical stenosis and disc herniation. The relationship between MRI findings and clinical signs such as radiating pain and numbness, highlights its importance in guiding effective treatment. Detailed assessments improve the treatment of this challenging medical conditions, especially in people who have comorbidities.