Dynamic Hoffmann's sign and early diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the relationship between dynamic Hoffmann's sign(DHS) and the early diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Methods:Patients with neck, shoulder and back pain (218 cases) were employed in this investigation. Among them, 96 cases had positive reaction to DHS test and they received 3 7 years follow up as study group. The other 122 cases negative to DHS test were taken as control group. The clinical data included the patient's symptoms and signs, sagittal diameter of cervical spinal canal, Pavlov rate, angular displacement and horizontal displacement between cervical vertebral, etc . Results:There were 72 cases in study group developed cervical spondylotic myelopathy and needed operation during follow up. Meanwhile, 11 cases in control group received surgical treatment. The incidence of stenosis of cervical spinal canal, herniation of cervical intervertebral disc and instability of cervical spine in DHS group were significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion:DHS is closely related to the onset of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The patients should be followed up closely if they present positive reaction to DHS, and should be operated on early when their neurological symptom is progressing.