Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction worldwide. The diagnosis of DCM is classically based on findings in the physical examination supported by radiological studies showing spinal cord compression and changes in the cord´s signal on an MRI scan (suggestive of myelopathy) and often it is diagnosed when the disease is advanced.
The underlying mechanisms that explain DCM are complex and not fully understood. Neuroinflammation plays an important role, but how this inflammation ensues is not completely clear.
The role of the body´s microbiome in this process is yet to be determined. Definite evidence of the role of microbiome in DCM is needed, as it may have an important effect on what type of treatment and when it should be offered to patients with this condition.
Our project aims to understand the relationship between DCM and the presence of bacteria in the intervertebral disc in the cervical spine, as well as the relationship between cervical degenerative disc disease and the presence of bacteria in the intervertebral disc in the cervical spine.
We propose a prospective, multicentric, case controlled, pragmatic, nested study. Patients with degenerative conditions of the cervical spine will be enrolled, their treatment (whether surgical or not) will be documented and if they undergo anterior cervical stabilisation, samples of the removed disc material will be analysed to assess the presence of bacteria in them. Pain and functional scores will be recorded to assess the outcome of these patients and later correlate them to the microbiology findings.