![]() The type, length and location of the nerve root compression are highly variable, and the best way of radiologically assessing the degree and location of cervical nerve root compression remains uncertain. However, imaging is not without its limitations. It is used to confirm the diagnosis, locate the level and region of nerve root compression and to plan for surgery. Imaging of cervical spine (through computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) forms an essential part of the patient management. Seventy-five percent of cases may resolve with conservative management but those that do not frequently require surgical intervention. Brachialgia may occur at any age but patients commonly present over the age of 40. Nerve root compression causes radiculopathy, the symptom of radiating arm pain is known as brachialgia and the syndrome may lead to significant disability including loss of arm function. All these may lead to stenosis of the cervical foramina through which the cervical nerve roots pass. The natural process of ageing leads to degenerative changes within the spine including disc prolapse, osteophyte formation, facet joint hypertrophy and ligamental thickening. Oblique fine cut images derived from three dimensional MRI datasets may yield more consistency, better clinical correlation, enhanced surgical decision-making and outcomes. Clinical application of these scoring systems is limited by their reliance on nonstandard imaging (Park), limited validation against clinical symptoms and surgical outcome data. The Park, Kim and Modified Kim systems for classifying the degree of stenosis of the nerve root canal have been described. Imaging of the cervical nerve root canals is mostly performed using MRI and is reported using subjective terminology. Korean J Radiol 16:1294, 2015) and (Park et al. The grading themes that came from this systematic review show that the most mature for cervical foraminal stenosis is described by (Kim et al. Most of the reports involved multiple imaging modalities with standard axial and sagittal imaging used most. A total of 6952 articles were identified with 59 included. In collaboration with the University of Leeds, a search strategy was developed. A systematic search of Ovid Medline databases, Embase 1947 to present, Cinahl, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ISRCTN and WHO international clinical trials was performed for reports of cervical foraminal stenosis published before 01 February 2020. ![]() The importance of imaging the cervical spine using CT or MRI in evaluating cervical foraminal stenosis is widely accepted however, there is no consensus for standardized methodology to assess the compression of the cervical nerve roots. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the existing radiological grading systems that are used to assess cervical foraminal stenosis. The study design of this paper is systematic review. ![]()
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