The outcome of surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy was compared in 40 aged patients (more than 65 years old) and another 128 patients (less than 65 years old). The results were evaluated by the JOA score. Pre-operative and postoperative JOA score, and the recovery rate of the aged patients were lower than the other patients. MRI findings according to our classification were compared with aged patients (25) and. the other patients (71).
The characteristic MRI findings of aged patients were as follows;
1) Anterior compression of the spinal cord was seen at multilevels, and the degree of cord deformity was severe.
2) Posterior compression was also seen.
3) The peak of the level of spinal cord deformity was at C4/5, followed by C3/4, C5/6, C6/7, C2/3 in aged patients, and the peak at C5/6, followed by C4/5, C6/7, C3/4 in the other patients. Cord deformities were seen also at upper levels in aged patients.
From our collective evidence, we concluded that expansive laminoplasty should be performed in aged patients.
