Machine learning for image analysis in the cervical spine: Systematic review of the available models and methods

• Neural network approaches show the most potential for automated image analysis of thecervical spine. • Fully automatic convolutional neural network (CNN) models are promising Deep Learning methods for segmentation. • In cervical spine analysis, the biomechanical features are most often studied using finiteelement models. • The application of artificial neural networks and support vector machine models looks promising for classification purposes. • This article provides an overview of the methods for research on computer aided imaging diagnostics of the cervical spine.