Magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed in six patients with chronic head and neck pain and in five control subjects to determine whether irreversible atrophic changes resulting in destruction of muscle fibers have a role in patients with chronic pain specific to the cervical spine. Both groups of subjects had medical history obtained and underwent physical examination and proton density-weighted (PD-weighted) magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects with chronic pain had substantial restriction of motion. Axial proton density-weighted images of the rectus capitis major and minor muscles were examined. In the subjects with chronic pain, the muscles had high signal intensity, indicating replacement of dead suboccipital skeletal muscle with fatty tissue. This infiltration was not observed in the control subjects who were free of significant motion restrictions and had no history of recurring neck and head pain. Analysis of pixel intensity values confirmed this finding. The reduction in proprioceptive afferent activity in affected muscles may cause increased facilitation of neural activity that is perceived as pain. At least mean squares algorithm was used to define a linear estimating equation for each subject. Linear regression analysis, using an alpha level < .005, was used to determine how well each subject's data fit the estimating equation. This preliminary work indicates substantial infiltration of fatty tissue into suboccipital muscles of some subjects being treated for chronic head and neck pain.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Spinal curvature of young adult females.

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Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Computerized prediction of optical density for diagnostic radiology.

A computer program was formulated and verified experimentally to predict the optical density on an image receptor for any given set of radiographic variables including tube kilovoltage, milliamperage, and wave form; x-ray beam filtration; nature of filters and absorbers, and type of x-ray film.

Absorption↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neurogenic atrophy of suboccipital muscles after a cervical injury: a case study.

This case report describes abnormalities in bilateral rectus capitis posterior minor muscles in one individual with persistent head and neck pain. These findings are muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration on magnetic resonance imaging, and electromyographic abnormalities compatible with denervated muscle. The objective of the study contained herein was to determine if fatty infiltration on magnetic resonance imaging of the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle is the result of disuse or denervation. Electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from normal and atrophied muscles. Electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities compatible with denervation atrophy were detected. Although we cannot rule out aging or other unknown causes, we suspect that denervation is caused by nerve damage from trauma to the C1 dorsal ramus as a consequence of entrapment within the rectus capitis posterior major muscle.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

X-radiation spectra.

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Computers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Optimum trituration capsule length.

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Dental Amalgam↗