Changes in diffusion tensor imaging indices of the lumbosacral enlargement correlate with cervical spinal cord changes and clinical assessment in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

•ADC were higher and FA were lower in CSM patients.•FA of the cervical spinal cord correlated with lumbosacral enlargement in CSM patients.•Both FA and ADC at the cervical spinal cord correlated to mJOA.•FA at the lumbosacral enlargement correlated with mJOA in CSM patients.