Study of The Cervical Intervertebral Disc by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Cervical intervertebral discs of ninety-seven patients with cervical disorders were studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to examine ageing changes of the discs and the relation between their changes and clinical signs. The MRI of cervical intervertebral discs was classified into four types and twelve subtypes. Disc degeneration began to appear in the second decades and became severe after the fourth decades. The degenerated discs increased with ageing. Cervical intervertebral disc herniation was mostly seen at the C5-C6 level. As the clinical signs became severe, discs of type IIIb increased, and incursions on the cervical cord at the involved level became evident.