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ABSTRACT: Objectives
Cervical nerve root compression can lead to radiculopathy in the arm. Some studies have reported low accuracy in determining the responsible nerve root in both cervical and lumbar regions. This prospective, observational, pragmatic study aimed to determine the accuracy of the clinical evaluation relative to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with arm radiculopathy.Methods
Patients with neck pain and neck-related arm pain referred to a spine unit underwent a standard clinical neurological examination and cervical spine MRI. The clinical examination required a judgment of the most likely cervical root involved, including the side. The Interobserver reproducibility was tested. Using MRI, the most likely nerve root involved according to radiology was assessed.Results
Eighty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. The Interobserver reproducibility between clinical evaluators was 58%, with a modest κ coefficient (0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.47) classified only as "fair agreement." Only 31% (95% CI: 22-42) of the 83 patients exhibited full agreement regarding the suspected cervical root as assessed via the clinical evaluation and MRI. In another 28% (95% CI: 18-39), the clinical evaluation identified an adjacent level to that identified on MRI.Conclusions
In cervical radiculopathy, the clinical-neurological examination diagnosed the same in 31% or an adjacent cervical root in 28% of the patients in relation to the most affected cervical root on MRI.
SUBMITTER: Redebrandt HN
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8995534 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Redebrandt Henrietta N HN Brandt Christian C Hawran Said S Bendix Tom T
Health science reports 20220410 3
<h4>Objectives</h4>Cervical nerve root compression can lead to radiculopathy in the arm. Some studies have reported low accuracy in determining the responsible nerve root in both cervical and lumbar regions. This prospective, observational, pragmatic study aimed to determine the accuracy of the clinical evaluation relative to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with arm radiculopathy.<h4>Methods</h4>Patients with neck pain and neck-related arm pain referred to a spine unit unde ...[more]