We report two cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with extensive T2-weighted intramedullary changes noted on preoperative imaging extending far beyond the level of compression. A delayed resolution 2 years after cervical oblique corpectomy was noted in both cases. This short report cautions against diagnosing this unusual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding as an intramedullary tumour, demyelination or an inflammatory process.