[The value of lateral views of the cervical spine in the diagnosis of chronic cervical myelopathy (author's transl)].

Factors in the production of chronic cervical myelopathy are considered to be developmental narrowing of the cervical spinal canal and the development of osteochondrotic changes. Lateral view of the cervical spine are a valuable survey method to be used before employing more invasive techniques. In four out of five patients with chronic cervical myelopathy, the quotient of lateral spinal to vertebral diameter was less than 0.8. In a control group this was found in only one out of four patients. Conversely, a quotient below 0.8 in men and 0.9 in women is associated with chronic cervical myelopathy or chronic cervical root damage in half these subjects.