# A New Multi-Parametric MRI-Based Scoring System for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: The Severity on Imaging Myelopathy Score (SIMS)

## TL;DR

This study introduces a new MRI-based scoring system called SIMS to assess the severity of degenerative cervical myelopathy in older adults.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel multi-parametric MRI scoring system (SIMS) that correlates strongly with clinical outcomes in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

## Key findings

- Variables like T2-weighted hyperintensity and reduced fluid spaces were significantly correlated with clinical scores.
- The SIMS score showed a strong negative correlation (−0.747) with the mJOA clinical score.
- The scoring system combines multiple MRI features to assess disease severity effectively.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of functional disabilities of spinal origin in people over 50 years old. The objective of the present study was to establish a multi-parametric weighted scoring system that is easy to use in daily practice, based on the most significant MRI signs and correlated as strongly as possible with the clinical presentation (mJOA)—we call this system the SIMS or Severity on Imaging Myelopathy Score. Methods: Ninety-nine patients who underwent clinical and radiological evaluation by mJOA and MRI between January 2015 and March 2021 were retrospectively included. The variables included in the score were the Fujiwara ratio, the T2-weighted intramedullary hyperintensity, the aspect of the peri-medullary fluid cisterns, the Torg–Pavlov ratio, the local kyphosis and the number of stenotic levels. Each variable was first correlated to the mJOA score for each patient, making it possible to construct the final SIMS at the end, and validate it by comparison with mJOA scores. Results: The variables that were significantly correlated with one another were the T2-weighted intramedullary hyperintensity, the reduction in peri-medullary fluid spaces and the number of stenotic levels (p < 0.05). Then, points were assigned to each variable according to their relative importance and made it possible to construct the definitive SIMS. The final Spearman correlation coefficient between the SIMS and the mJOA score was −0.747. Conclusions: This work showed that this new multi-parametric MRI-based scoring system represents a consistent means to characterize the degree of severity of degenerative cervical myelopathy.