Study Design
This study evaluated the clinical significance of radicular signs around the neck in relation to mechanical lesions of the cervical spine and cord.
Summary of Background Data
Classical radicular signs around the neck, such as Jackson's sign or Spurling's sign, are not sensitive enough to detect corresponding lesions.
Objectives
Compression of the brachial plexus elicitis radiating pain (BP) in patients with cervical lesions. The clinical significance of this new sign as a potential indicator of the cervical lesion compared with other classical signs was evaluated.
Methods
Sixty-five patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine were prospectively evaluated for these clinical signs that elicit radiating pain around the neck. Clinical signs were correlated to deformity of the cervical spine and cord and to final diagnosis.
Results
Classical radicular signs often were lacking, even in patients with mechanical lesions around the cervical spine. However, BP was often observed in these patients.
Conclusions
Compared with the classical radicular signs, BP is highly sensitive and reasonably specific in detecting mechanical lesions around the cervical spine, and suggests radicular involvement.
