Cerebral hemodynamics in young patients with cervical dorsopathy

Introduction . Within modern osteopathic methodology, somatic dysfunctions (SD) may manifest at different levels: local, regional, and global. While the global level can be conditionally viewed as a combination of regional SDs (polyregionality), identifying regional and local SDs undoubtedly requires objective validation. Previous studies have identified impaired peripheral circulation in spinal osteochondrosis complicated by pain syndrome and described cerebral hemodynamics in patients with occupational dorsopathies. However, no studies assessing cerebral hemodynamics in young adults with cervical spine dorsopathy based on SD manifestation levels were found in available literature, thus defining this study′s aim. The aim of the study : to prove differences in hemodynamics at different levels of SD in young patients with cervical dorsopathy. Materials and methods . A cross-sectional study was conducted at the osteopathy department clinic of I. I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University from September 2018 to September 2022. The study included 631 patients diagnosed with dorsopathy. After applying inclusion/non-inclusion/exclusion criteria, 169 patients were excluded. Thus, a group of 462 patients was formed. All observed patients underwent ultrasound duplex scanning of extracranial sections of the head vessels, and osteopathic status was assessed in accordance with the approved clinical guidelines. Results . In young patients with cervical spine dorsopathy, blood fl ow indices in the main arteries of the head do not differ from the age norms. Signs of cerebral venous dyscirculation were detected in 259 (56 %) examined patients. In patients with regional SD at the neck level in comparison with patients with local dysfunction at this level or without any dysfunction at all statistically significantly ( p <0,05) more often venous dyshemia is detected, and there is a decrease in the average blood flow velocity along the right vertebral artery. No significant differences were registered in other cerebral hemodynamic parameters. Conclusion. This study revealed specific hemodynamic features in areas of regional SD at the cervical level. The findings further validate distinguishing between local and regional SD levels and partially objectify their hydrodynamic component.