Evaluation of Cervical Vertebral Motion and Foraminal Changes During the Spurling Test Using Zero Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography-Based Micromotion Analysis

Abstract

Study design: Clinical experimental diagnostic study.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate cervical spine dynamics including changes in the cervical foramina in patients experiencing intermittent arm radiculopathy.

Background: Cervical foraminal stenosis is a frequent cause of radicular arm pain. The Spurling test, while specific, lacks the precision to identify symptomatic nerve roots. The relationship among vertebral motion, foraminal changes, and radiculopathy during a Spurling test remains underexplored.

Patients and methods: Ten patients with positive Spurling tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed 1 or 2-level cervical foraminal stenosis were scanned using the Dynamic MRI Compression System enabling a simulated Spurling test inside the MRI gantry of a 3T MRI scanner with a dedicated neck coil. First, a relaxed image acquisition was undertaken, followed by slowly applying the Spurling test until the patient reported aggravation of radiculopathy or discomfort, where the next image series was taken. Zero echo time MRI was employed to obtain computed tomography (CT)-like images. The images were thereafter analyzed using the Sectra® CT-based Micromotion Analysis software for motion analysis.

Results: The C4/C5 level exhibited the most significant movements both in translation and rotation, with less movements observed in C5 to C6 and C6 to C7 levels. No uniform pattern emerged that differentiated suspected stenotic levels from nonsuspected levels. Despite relatively small vertebral movements, 9/10 of patients reported arm pain during provocation, indicating extremely narrow margins of tolerance.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of zero echo time MRI and CT-based Micromotion Analysis in detecting subtle yet clinically relevant vertebral motions influencing the foramina in the cervical spine during the Spurling maneuver. These findings could lead to a better understanding and potentially improved diagnostic strategies for cervical foraminal stenosis, although further research with a larger cohort is necessary to confirm these results.