Correlation Between MRI T2 Hyperintensity, Apoptosis, and Neuroinflammation in Chronic Cervical Spinal Cord Compression

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental animal study using a rabbit model of chronic cervical spinal cord compression. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between MRI T2-weighted signal intensity changes in the spinal cord and underlying apoptotic and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in chronic cervical spinal cord compression. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: T2-weighted MRI hyperintensity in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) patients is commonly observed, but its pathological significance remains incompletely understood. Apoptosis and neuroinflammation are key pathophysiological mechanisms, yet their correlation with MRI signal changes lacks systematic investigation. METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits were randomized into control, mild compression, and severe compression groups (n=8/group). Chronic cervical spinal cord compression was induced at C3 using radiopaque resin pins. Motor function (Tarlov scores, Rivlin inclined plane test), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), and MRI signal intensity ratios (SCR) were assessed at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months. At 6 months, spinal cord tissues were analyzed via hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL assay, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting for apoptotic (Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3) and neuroinflammatory markers (NLRP3, ASC, NF-κB). RESULTS: Compression severity correlated with functional decline and prolonged SEP latency (P