Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38046579›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in neurology2023

Pathophysiology and surgical decision-making in central cord syndrome and degenerative cervical myelopathy: correcting the somatotopic fallacy.

Husain Shakil, Carlo Santaguida, Jefferson R Wilson, H Francis Farhadi, Allan D Levi, Jared T Wilcox

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in neurology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Degenerative cervical myelopathy diagnosis: applicability of artificial intelligence-enhanced modalities in a systematic review and meta-analysis.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Review
  2. Article
  3. Acute management of spinal fractures: What you need to know.The journal of trauma and acute care surgery · 2026
    Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Husain ShakilDivision of Neurosurgery, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Carlo SantaguidaMcGill University Health Center, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Jefferson R WilsonDivision of Neurosurgery, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
H Francis FarhadiDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.
Allan D LeviDepartment of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.
Jared T WilcoxDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Our understanding of Central Cord Syndrome (CCS), a form of incomplete spinal cord injury characterized by disproportionate upper extremity weakness, is evolving. Recent advances challenge the traditional somatotopic model of corticospinal tract organization within the spinal cord, suggesting that CCS is likely a diffuse injury rather than focal lesion. Diagnostic criteria for CCS lack consensus, and varied definitions impact patient identification and treatment. Evidence has mounted for early surgery for CCS, although significant variability persists in surgical timing preferences among practitioners. A demographic shift toward an aging population has increased the overlap between CCS and Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM). Understanding this intersection is crucial for comprehensive patient care. Assessment tools, including quantitative measures and objective evaluations, aid in distinguishing CCS from DCM. The treatment landscape for CCS in the context of pre-existing DCM is complex, requiring careful consideration of pre-existing neurologic injury, patient factors, and injury factors. This review synthesizes emerging evidence, outlines current guidelines in diagnosis and management, and emphasizes the need for ongoing research to refine our understanding and treatment strategies for this evolving patient population.

Indexed as

central cord syndromecervical spineclinical outcomemyelopathyneurosurgeryoperative managementspinal cord injurysurgical intervention

Identifiers

PMID38046579
PMCPMC10690824

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.