Surgical treatment of posttraumatic cystic and tethered spinal cords

Posttraumatic syringomyelia as a cause of progressive neurologic deterioration has been well described. More recently, the noncystic posttraumatic tethered cord has been associated with identical progressive neurologic deterioration. A retrospective analysis of patients treated surgically with spinal cord untethering and/or cyst shunting to arrest a progressive myelopathy from a posttraumatic tethered and/or cystic cord was performed. Emphasis was on outcome using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) sensory and motor scoring systems. During an 18-month period from May 1993 to December 1994, 70 patients with spinal cord injury were operated upon for tethered and/or cystic spinal cords because of a progressive myelopathy and deteriorating ASIA sensory/motor scores. Fifty-nine patients had follow-up data 1 year postoperatively. At the 1 year follow-up, there was small improvement in light touch sensory scores (0.67 points), pinprick scores (1.3 points), and motor scores (0.41 points) demonstrating that the progression of the myelopathic process was arrested. Thirty-four of these 59 patients had no previous surgery to their spinal cords. At 1 year follow-up, light touch scores improved on average 2.38 points, pinprick scores 3.88 points (p < 0.05), and motor scores 1.47 points, suggesting better outcome with first-time surgery. Of this latter group, 64.3% regained a lost function, 62.5% saw improvement in spasticity, 55.6% had substantial improvement in neurogenic pain, and 95.8% felt that surgery prevented further neurologic deterioration.     

Nerve repair using acidic fibroblast growth factor in human cervical spinal cord injury: a preliminary Phase I clinical study

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to assess functional outcomes of nerve repair using acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Nine patients who had cervical SCI for longer than 5 months were included in pre- and postoperative assessments of their neurological function. The assessments included evaluating activities of daily living, associated functional ability, and degree of spasticity, motor power, sensation, and pain perception. After the first set of assessments, the authors repaired the injured segment of the spinal cord using a total laminectomy followed by the application of fibrin glue containing acidic FGF. Clinical evaluations were conducted 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months after the surgery. Preoperative versus postoperative differences in injury severity and grading of key muscle power and sensory points were calculated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The preoperative degree of injury severity, as measured using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scoring system, showed that preoperative motor (52.4 +/- 25.9 vs 68.6 +/- 21.5), pinprick (61.0 +/- 34.9 vs 71.6 +/- 31.0), and light touch scores (57.3 +/- 33.9 vs 71.9 +/- 30.2) were significantly lower than the respective postoperative scores measured 6 months after surgery (p = 0.005, 0.012, and 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the significant difference in ASIA motor and sensory scale scores between the preoperative status and the 6-month postoperative follow-up, this novel nerve repair strategy of using acidic FGF may have a role in the repair of human cervical SCI. Modest nerve regeneration occurred in all 9 patients after this procedure without any observed adverse effects. This repair strategy thus deserves further investigation, clinical consideration, and refinement.     

ASIA脊髓损伤分类标准在颈髓损伤患者神经功能评定中的应用

目的：探讨ASIA标准在颈髓损伤患者神经功能评估中的意义。方法：应用ASIA标准对139例急性颈髓损伤患者的神经功能情况进行回顾性评估。结果：82例完全性脊髓损伤患者中5例逆转为不完全性损伤，77例无逆转者随访时ASIA感觉、运动评分有明显增加。57例不完全性颈髓损伤患者感觉、运动功能改善明显优于完全性损伤患者。结论：完全性颈髓损伤患者可能逆转为不完全性颈髓损伤，并且可有明显节段性神经功能恢复。在脊髓损伤神经功能评定中，ASIA感觉、运动评分具有重要意义。     

Olfactory mucosa autografts in human spinal cord injury: a pilot clinical study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Olfactory mucosa is a readily accessible source of olfactory ensheathing and stem-like progenitor cells for neural repair. To determine the safety and feasibility of transplanting olfactory mucosa autografts into patients with traumatically injured spinal cords, a human pilot clinical study was conducted. METHODS: Seven patients ranging from 18 to 32 years of age (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] class A) were treated at 6 months to 6.5 years after injury. Olfactory mucosa autografts were transplanted into lesions ranging from 1 to 6 cm that were present at C4-T6 neurological levels. Operations were performed from July 2001 through March 2003. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and ASIA neurological and otolaryngological evaluations were performed before and after surgery. RESULTS: MRI studies revealed moderate to complete filling of the lesion sites. Two patients reported return of sensation in their bladders, and one of these patients regained voluntary contraction of anal sphincter. Two of the 7 ASIA A patients became ASIA C. Every patient had improvement in ASIA motor scores. The mean increase for the 3 subjects with tetraplegia in the upper extremities was 6.3 +/- 1.2 (SEM), and the mean increase for the 4 subjects with paraplegia in the lower extremities was 3.9 +/- 1.0. Among the patients who improved in their ASIA sensory neurological scores (all except one patient), the mean increase was 20.3 +/- 5.0 for light touch and 19.7 +/- 4.6 for pinprick. Most of the recovered sensation below the initial level of injury was impaired. Adverse events included sensory decrease in one patient that was most likely caused by difficulty in locating the lesion, and there were a few instances of transient pain that was relieved by medication. EMG revealed motor unit potential when the patient was asked to perform movement. CONCLUSION: This study shows that olfactory mucosa autograft transplantation into the human injured spinal cord is feasible, relatively safe, and potentially beneficial. The procedure involves risks generally associated with any surgical procedure. Long-term patient monitoring is necessary to rule out any delayed side effects and assess any further improvements.     

纳洛酮治疗急性脊髓损伤的临床观察

作者以甲基强的松龙为参照，观察了１４例急性脊髓损伤患者应用纳洛酮后的神经功能恢复。结果表明，急性脊髓损伤６ｈ内的患者，入院后即在１５ｍｉｎ内通过外周静脉滴注纳洛酮５．４μｇ／ｋｇ，暂停４５ｍｉｎ后以４μｇ／ｋｇ／ｈ维持２３ｈ。给药后６周观察，同对照组相比，纳洛酮治疗患者的触觉、痛觉评分明显提高，同对照组相比，甲基强的松龙组给药后６周及６月观察，运动功能、触觉、痛觉功能评分均显著提高。结论：急性脊髓损伤后６ｈ内外周静脉给予纳洛酮也可改善急性脊髓损伤患者的神经功能，但作用不如甲基强的松龙显著。     

Treatment of posttraumatic syringomyelia

Object This paper presents results of a prospective study for patients undergoing surgery for posttraumatic syringomyelia between 1991 and 2010. Methods A group of 137 patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia were evaluated (mean age 45 ± 13 years, mean follow-up 51 ± 51 months) with pre- and postoperative MRI and clinical examinations presenting in this period and followed prospectively by outpatient visits and questionnaires. Surgery was recommended for symptomatic patients with a progressive course. Short-term results were determined within 3 months of surgery, whereas long-term outcomes in terms of clinical recurrences were studied with Kaplan-Meier statistics. Results Three groups were distinguished according to the type of trauma: Group A, patients with spinal trauma but without cord injury (ASIA E, n = 37); Group B, patients with an incomplete cord injury (ASIA C or D, n = 55); and Group C, patients with complete loss of motor function or a complete cord injury (ASIA A or B, n = 45). Overall, 61 patients with progressive symptoms underwent 71 operations. Of these operations, 61 consisted of arachnolysis, untethering, and duraplasty at the trauma level (that is, decompression), while 4 ASIA A patients underwent a cordectomy. The remaining procedures consisted of placement of a thecoperitoneal shunt, 2 opiate pump placements, and 2 anterior and 1 posterior cervical decompression and fusion. Seventy-six patients were not treated surgically due to lack of neurological progression or refusal of an operation. Neurological symptoms remained stable for 10 years in 84% of the patients for whom surgery was not recommended due to lack of neurological progression. In contrast, 60% of those who declined recommended surgery had neurological progression within 5 years. For patients presenting with neurological progression, outcome was better with decompression. Postoperatively, 61% demonstrated a reduction of syrinx size. Although neurological symptoms generally remained unchanged after surgery, 47% of affected patients reported a postoperative improvement of their pain syndrome. After 3 months, 51% considered their postoperative status improved and 41% considered it unchanged. In the long-term, favorable results were obtained for Groups A and C with rates for neurological deterioration of 6% and 14% after 5 years, respectively. In Group B, this rate was considerably higher at 39%, because arachnolysis and untethering to preserve residual cord function could not be fully achieved in all patients. Cordectomy led to neurological improvement and syrinx collapse in all 4 patients. Conclusions The technique of decompression with arachnolysis, untethering, and duraplasty at the level of the underlying trauma provides good long-term results for patients with progressive neurological symptoms following ASIA A, B and E injuries. Treatment of patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia after spinal cord injuries with preserved motor functions (ASIA C and D) remains a major challenge. Future studies will have to establish whether thecoperitoneal shunts would be a superior alternative for this subgroup.     

Extraosseous extension of vertebral hemangioma, a rare cause of spinal cord compression.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To illustrate a rare cause of thoracic spinal cord compression, its diagnosis, and its management. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Asymptomatic vertebral hemangiomas are common, but extraosseous extension causing spinal cord compression with neurologic symptoms is rare, and few cases appear in the English-language literature. METHOD: A previously asymptomatic 63-year-old man sought medical attention for acute back pain and thoracic myelopathy of 6 week's duration. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a mass in the T10 vertebral body with paravertebral and intracanalicular extension contributing to cord compression. Decompression and reconstructive surgery were performed and radiotherapy administered after surgery. Preoperative angiography was not performed because of the patient's rapidly progressive neurologic deterioration and the consideration that the differential diagnosis of vertebral hemangioma was less likely. RESULTS: The diagnosis of benign capillary hemangioma was made histologically. Neurologic recovery was complete except for minor residual sensory changes in the legs. At follow-up 10 months after surgery the patient had returned to his usual active life and motor mower repairing business. CONCLUSION: Extraosseous extension of vertebral hemangiomas is a rare cause of thoracic spinal cord compression. As such, the available data are derived from reports based on series involving only a small number of cases, rather than on results of randomized controlled trials. Those causing progressive neurologic symptoms should be surgically decompressed, with the specific procedure determined by the extent and site of the lesion. Preoperative angiography is recommended, but embolization is not always necessary or even possible. Postoperative radiotherapy is recommended when tumor removal is subtotal.     

非相邻多节段脊柱骨折的诊断与手术治疗

目的:探讨非相邻多节段脊柱骨折(multi-levelnoncontiguousspinalfractures,MNSF)的受伤机制、诊断与手术治疗方式。方法:对我院1991年1月至2002年1月手术治疗并得到随访的36例非相邻多节段脊柱骨折患者的临床资料,按ASIA分级、感觉运动评分进行回顾性分析。结果:例36MNSF患者共累及椎体78个节段,关键损伤部位骨折类型以爆裂骨折和骨折脱位为主。脊髓不完全性损伤病例(B、C级),术后ASIA分级分别提高1￣2,级感觉运动评分随访时与术前比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);脊髓完全性损伤病例(级)AASIA分级无改善,感觉运动评分随访时与术前比较无显著性差异,但分别平均提高9.3分和11.3分。结论:MNSF具有损伤暴力大、致伤机制复杂、脊髓损伤严重、合并损伤多、易于漏诊或延误诊断等特点,治疗上应明确多节段骨折的关键部位及骨折的性质,并根据多节段脊柱骨折的类型选择相应的固定融合节段。     

多节段脊柱骨折的诊断表述与手术治疗

目的　探讨多节段脊柱骨折 (MSF)的诊断表述与手术治疗。方法　总结Scofix器械治疗的 4 6例MSF ,按ASIA分级、感觉运动评分、伤椎椎体中央高度及后凸畸形矫正率进行临床分析。结果　 4 6例MSF ,累及椎体 10 0个节段 ,关键损伤部位骨折类型以爆裂骨折和骨折脱位为主 (82 .6 % )。平均随访 2 .5年。脊髓不完全性损伤病例的ASIA分级分别提高了 1～ 2级 ,感觉运动评分行t检验 ,B、C级术前与随访时比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;脊髓完全性损伤病例 (A级 )的ASIA分级无改善 ,感觉运动评分未达到显著性差异 ,但分别平均提高 19.3分和 15 .9分。结论　MSF的诊断表述应明确多节段骨折的关键部位及骨折的性质 (按关键损伤部位排序 )、脊髓损伤的程度 ,以便于临床比较 ;固定节段应根据骨折类型 ,选择不同的固定节段。     

Patient selection for clinical trials: the reliability of the early spinal cord injury examination

Patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries can spontaneously recover motor function. Because of this, phase I and II trials of invasive interventions for acute spinal cord injury will likely involve neurologically complete injuries. It is therefore important to reliably identify complete injuries as early as possible. We examined the reliability of the early examination in motor complete spinal cord injuries by retrospectively analyzing the stability of baseline neurological status determined within 2 days of injury in 103 subjects. Baseline neurological status was compared to neurological status at follow-up, preferably within one week (101 of 103 subjects). When available (n = 68), neurological status at 1 year or later was also compared. Overall, 6.2% (5/81) of motor complete, sensory complete (ASIA A) subjects converted to motor complete, sensory incomplete status (ASIA B) between the initial and follow-up assessments; however, none exhibited motor recovery (ASIA C or D). At initial follow-up, 9.3% (4/43) of ASIA A subjects with factors affecting examination reliability were reclassified as ASIA B injuries compared to 2.6% (1/38) of ASIA A subjects without such factors. At year 1 or later, 6.7% (2/30) of ASIA A subjects without factors affecting exam reliability, converted to ASIA B status. None developed volitional motor function below the zone of injury. For subjects with factors affecting exam reliability, 17.4% (4/23) of ASIA A subjects converted to incomplete status and 13.0% (3/23) regained some motor function by one year or later (ASIA C or D). These data suggest that it is possible to identify within 48 h of injury, a subset of patients with a negligible chance for motor recovery who would be suitable candidates for future clinical trials of invasive treatments.     

Neurological recovery in patients of old healed tubercular rigid kyphosis with myelopathy treated with transpedicular decancellation osteotomy

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to find out if transpedicular decancellation osteotomy (TDO) is recommendable for neurological recovery in patients with myelopathy due to tubercular rigid kyphosis. We have analyzed the pattern of recovery seen after the surgery and also made an effort to correlate the neurological recovery with preoperative clinical and radiological features.

Methods

The clinical parameters used were (1) ASIA impairment scale for motor and sensory function, (2) sphincter dysfunction score, (3) time duration from the onset of myelopathy till the date of surgery, and (4) SRS 30 outcomes questionnaire. Radiological parameters used were (1) Cobb’s angle in standing/sitting radiographs, (2) levels of gibbus, (3) cord changes in sagittal T2 MRI images, and (4) percentage of cord compression. Assessment was done preoperatively and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and at 2 years postoperatively.

Results

Seventeen patients were included. The follow-up period was 2 years. We had one patient in ASIA A, nine patients in ASIA C and seven patients in ASIA D. Four patients with ASIA C presented with mild sphincter disturbance (score 2) and one presented with severe disturbance (score 1). The ASIA A patient had complete retention (score 0). The ASIA impairment scale improved after surgery, with maximum improvement at 3 months and improvement continuing up to 6 months. 16 (94 %) patients had improvement in lower limb function and 5 (83 %) patients had improvement of sphincter function. 94 % patients had neurological recovery after the operation. The neurological recovery reached a plateau at 6 months with no significant improvement in the further follow-up. Preoperative MRI changes, cord compression and duration from onset of myelopathy to day of surgery were not predictive of the final neurological outcome after surgery.

Conclusion

TDO gives good results in delayed onset neurological deficits in caries spine with rigid kyphosis. At least, one grade improvement in the neurological status of patients with ASIA C and ASIA D can be expected. Maximum improvement in the neurology is seen in the first 3 months and up to 6 months from the date of surgery, without much improvement thereafter. Level of evidence Level IV.     

Post-traumatic syringomyelia following complete neurological recovery

OBJECTIVE: To describe the later neurologic deterioration secondary to the appearance of a post-traumatic syringomyelic cavity, in a patient who, in the initial phase, had an incomplete spinal cord lesion (ASIA C), which improved to ASIA E. METHODS: A 52-year-old male patient who, at the age of 19 (1965), suffered a spinal cord injury. He presented with a fracture of the sixth and seventh cervical neurological segment at the time of the lesion, evolving to ASIA E. Nine years after the traumatism, he began to feel pain accompanied by a sensory and motor deficit. RESULTS: With the aid of myelography and MRI, the existence of a syringomyelic cavity was detected, which extended from the fourth to the seventh cervical segments. The patient was operated on, on various occasions, placing a syringo-subarachnoid shunt. The neurological status of the patient continued to deteriorate and, at present, he has a complete lesion below the fourth neurological cervical segment with a partially preserved sensitive area up to T1. CONCLUSION: The development of the syringomyelic cavity could be one of the causes of later neurologic deterioration in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury with neurological recovery 'ad integrum' in the initial phase of spinal cord injury.     

Spontaneous thoracic spinal cord herniation--case report.

A 54-year-old female presented with spontaneous thoracic spinal cord herniation manifesting as chronic progressive motor weakness in both legs. Spastic paraparesis (4/5) and pathological reflexes such as ankle clonus were noted. She also had mild bladder dysfunction but no bowel dysfunction. She had no sensory disturbance, including tactile and pinprick sense. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed that the atrophic spinal cord was displaced into the ventral extradural space at the T4-5 intervertebral level with markedly dilated dorsal subarachnoid space. Computed tomography obtained after myelography showed no evidence of intradural spinal arachnoid cyst. She underwent surgical repair of the spinal cord herniation via laminectomy, and spinal cord herniation through the ventral dural defect was confirmed. Postoperative MR imaging revealed improvement of the spinal cord herniation, but her symptoms were not improved. Spontaneous spinal cord herniation is a rare cause of chronic myelopathy, occurring in the upper and mid-thoracic levels, and the spinal cord is usually herniated into the ventral extradural space. Early differential diagnosis from intradural spinal arachnoid cysts is important for a satisfactory outcome.     

Long-term outcome of olfactory ensheathing cell therapy for patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury

The neurorestorative effect of the parenchymal transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) for cord trauma remains clinically controversial. The aim of this article is to study the long-term result of OECs for patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). One hundred and eight patients suffered from complete chronic SCI were followed up successfully within the period of 3.47 ± 1.12 years after OEC therapy. They were divided into two groups based on the quality and quantity of their rehabilitative training: group A (n = 79) in sufficient rehabilitation (or active movement-target enhancement-neurorehabilitation therapy, AMTENT) and group B (n = 29) in insufficient rehabilitation. All patients were assessed by using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standard and the International Association of Neurorestoratology Spinal Cord Injury Functional Rating Scale (IANR-SCIFRS). Thirty-one patients were evaluated by the tests of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and paravertebral sensory evoked potential (PVSEP). We found the following. 1) According to ASIA and IANR-SCIFRS assessment for all 108 patients, averaged motor scores increased from 37.79 ± 18.45 to 41.25 ± 18.18 (p < 0.01), light touch scores from 50.32 ± 24.71 to 55.90 ± 24.46 (p < 0.01), pin prick scores from 50.53 ± 24.92 to 54.53 ± 24.62 (p < 0.01); IANR-SCIFRS scores increased from 19.32 ± 9.98 to 23.12 ± 10.30 (p < 0.01). 2) The score changes in terms of motor, light touch, pin prick, and IANR-SCIFRS in group A were remarkably different (all p < 0.01). The score changes in group B were remarkably different in terms of motor (p < 0.05) and IANR-SCIFRS (p < 0.01), but not light touch or pin prick (p > 0.05). 3) Comparing group A with group B, the increased scores in terms of motor, light touch, and pin prick were remarkably different (all p < 0.01), but not IANR-SCIFRS (p > 0.05). 4) Fourteen of 108 patients (12.96%) became ASIA B from ASIA A; 18 of 108 (16.67%) became ASIA C from ASIA A. Nine of them (8.33%) improved their walk ability or made them rewalk by using a walker with or without assistance; 12 of 84 men (14.29%) improved their sex function. 5) MRI examinations were taken for 31 patients; there were no neoplasm, bleeding, swelling, cysts, neural tissue destruction or infection (abscess) or any other pathological changes in or around OEC transplant sites. 6) EMG examinations were done on 31 patients; 29 showed improvement and the remaining 2 had no change. PVSEP tests were performed in 31 patients; 28 showed improvements and the remaining 3 had no change. 7) No deterioration or complications were observed in our patients within the follow-up period. Our data suggest OEC therapy is safe and can improve neurological functions for patients with complete chronic SCI and ameliorate their quality of life; the AMTENT most likely plays a critical role in enhancing functional recovery after cell-based neurorestorotherapy.     

A radical procedure of circumferential spinal cord decompression through a modified posterior approach for thoracic myelopathy caused by severely impinging anterior ossification

Background contextThoracic myelopathy caused by an anterior, massive ossified plaque is often progressive and responds poorly to conservative treatment. Direct removal of the compressing ossification is the optimal procedure for a spinal cord that is severely impinged anteriorly. However, both anterior and posterior decompressive manipulations have caused catastrophic iatrogenic spinal cord injuries. A comprehensive treatment method for severe thoracic myelopathy that enables a sufficient and safe decompression of the spinal cord is needed.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and results of a one-stage circumferential decompressive procedure using a modified posterior approach in patients with severe thoracic myelopathy resulting from anterior spinal compression.Study designA modified procedure of circumferential spinal cord decompression for thoracic myelopathy is described. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical outcomes of 23 sequentially treated patients.Patient sampleTwenty-three patients were treated sequentially with a modified procedure for circumferential spinal cord decompression for thoracic myelopathy.Outcome measuresOutcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, modified Frankel classification, Hirabayashi recovery rate, and a general assessment of complications.MethodsTwenty-three patients with thoracic myelopathy caused by a massive, anterior ossified structure were treated with an extensive posterior laminectomy, anterior removal of the ossification, and interbody fusion with kyphosis-reversing stabilization through a modified posterolateral approach. The neurologic outcomes are evaluated according to the JOA and the modified Frankel classification before surgery, 2 weeks after surgery, 1 year after surgery, and at the final follow-up visit. The surgical outcomes are also described using the Hirabayashi recovery rate. Radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging were performed before and after surgery. A postoperative CT scan was obtained to determine the efficacy of the decompression. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were reviewed from the medical records. In addition, a 48-year-old man who presented with severe thoracic myelopathy resulting from anterior impingement with multiple osteophytes is described as an illustrative patient.ResultsThe sites of ossification in this series were distributed widely, from T4–T12. The anterior ossified plaques of all patients were resected completely. Five patients who had intraoperative evidence of dural ossification required resection of the ossified dura matter. The average operating time was 276 minutes. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 1,350 mL. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 2.5 to 6 years, with an average of 4.6 years. The average preoperative JOA score was 4.3±1.5 points, and it improved to 6.1±1.9 points 2 weeks postoperatively, to 8.1±1.8 points 1 year postoperatively, and to 8.5±1.9 points at the most recent follow-up. The overall Hirabayashi recovery rate at the final examination averaged 63.6±22.4%. Eight patients were graded as excellent, 10 as good, 4 as fair, and 1 as unchanged. No patient was graded as deteriorated. The paralysis improved by at least 1 grade in 22 patients (95.7%). Transient deterioration of thoracic myelopathy occurred immediately after surgery in three patients (13%). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in six patients (26.1%). One patient sustained severe bilateral groin pain, three had unilateral intercostal neuralgia, and pleura tear occurred in one patient.ConclusionOne-stage posterior decompression, anterior extirpation of the ossification, and interbody fusion with instrumentation via a modified posterior approach is a safe and effective treatment for severe thoracic myelopathy resulting from prominent anterior impingement. This procedure is technically demanding, and the indications are limited to thoracic myelopathy caused by severe anterior impingement of various etiologies from T4–T12.     

Profiles of spinal cord injury and recovery after gunshot injury

Prospective motor and sensory examinations were conducted on 135 patients with neurologic deficits caused by spinal cord injuries resulting from gunshot wounds. Annual follow-up motor and sensory examinations were conducted for 67 patients. The neurologic data (motor and sensory neurologic levels of injury, zone of injury, and completeness of lesion) were assessed in terms of the vertebral level of injury, region of injury, bullet caliber, direction of bullet entry, and whether the bullet penetrated the spinal canal, completely traversed the spinal canal, or entered and remained lodged in the spinal canal. Seventy-seven of the patients sustained complete lesions and 58 sustained incomplete lesions. Anatomically, 19.3% of the injuries were in the cervical region, 51.8% in the thoracic, and 28.9% in the thoracolumbar. In 93 cases, the neurologic level was at least one level higher than vertebral level of injury. Although twice as many individuals were shot from the back as from the front and from the left as from the right, the point of bullet entry did not appear to be related to the severity of the injury. At the annual follow-up examinations, 66.7% of the patients with complete lesions and 64.0% of the patients with incomplete lesions had no improvement in the neurologic level of injury. Nevertheless, there was a significant (p less than 0.0001) improvement in the American Spinal Injury Association motor index scores one year after injury.     

Microcystic spinal cord degeneration causing posttraumatic myelopathy. Report of two cases

Two cases of progressive myelopathy occurring years after incomplete cervical spinal cord injury are presented. In both patients, the clinical features, as well as the "bull's-eye" appearance of the delayed computerized tomography (CT) myelography study and the circumscribed low density of the magnetic resonance image, were consistent with posttraumatic syringomyelia, but surgical exploration including intra-operative spinal sonography failed to reveal a syrinx. Although arachnoiditis was present in both patients, the striking abnormality found at surgery was the softened appearance and the microcystic degeneration of the cord. The microcystic spinal cord degeneration found in these cases represents a previously undescribed cause of late deterioration after spinal cord injury that may mimic the clinical, CT-myelographic, and magnetic resonance features of posttraumatic syringomyelia.     

Treatment of syringomyelia after posttraumatic paraparesis or tetraparesis

This retrospective study of 12 patients with syringomyelia related to spinal cord trauma with paraplegia or tetraplegia and secondary progressive neurologic deficits was conducted to evaluate various surgical treatments. Judging by the results of postoperative neuroradiologic examinations, 75% had incomplete reduction of the spinal fracture at the time of initial surgery. The secondary neurologic deterioration occurred within a delay of 146 +/- 16 months and included ascending sensory deficits in 92%, deafferentation pain in 83%, and increased motor weakness in 33%. There was a positive correlation between the severity of symptoms, incomplete reduction of spinal fracture, and the degree of arachnoid scarring in preoperative neuroradiologic examinations. Syringoperitoneal shunting was performed in 83% of patients, and laminectomy with arachnoid lysis and dural grafting were performed in 17%. Pain was improved in 75%, sensory deficits in 25%, and motor weakness in 8%. During the follow-up period of 44 +/- 25 months, 30% of patients with syringoperitoneal shunting required repeated operation for obstruction or infection, whereas the syringomyelia remained collapsed in the two patients with laminectomy with arachnoid lysis and dural grafting, but this did not require additional surgery. In conclusion, laminectomy with arachnoid lysis and dural grafting seems to be a promising alternative treatment for patients with secondary neurologic deterioration after traumatic paraplegia or tetraplegia. Syringoperitoneal shunting may be reserved for patients without severe arachnoid scarring.     

胚胎嗅鞘细胞移植治疗晚期脊髓损伤影响功能恢复的因素

目的探讨胚胎嗅鞘细胞(olfactory ensheathing cell, OEC)移植在晚期脊髓损伤(spinal cord injury, SCI)患者后,影响其功能恢复的因素.方法 2001年11月～2003年12月收治晚期SCI患者300例,其中完全性损伤222例,不完全性损伤78例.患者伤后时间为6个月～31年,平均3.1年.手术取胚胎嗅球,消化成单个OEC后培养12～17 d.将胚胎OEC移植到SCI部位的上下处.所有患者在胚胎OEC移植手术前和手术后2～8周按ASIA标准评价和随访,比较年龄、受伤时间、性别、损伤程度和损伤水平对胚胎OEC移植后功能恢复的影响.结果按ASIA标准评价神经功能有部分功能快速恢复,其中运动功能由术前39.1±20.6提高到45.9±20.3 (P<0.001),轻触觉由术前51.7±24.9提高到63.4±23.0 (P<0.001),痛觉由术前53.0±24.2提高到65.3±22.7 (P<0.001).除损伤水平中颈段运动和轻触觉分数高于胸段外,年龄、受伤时间、性别、损伤程度和损伤水平等因素比较差异无统计学意义.结论胚胎OEC移植能快速帮助晚期SCI患者恢复部分神经功能,但除损伤水平中颈段运动和轻触觉分数高于胸段外,年龄、受伤时间、性别、损伤程度和损伤水平并不是影响胚胎OEC移植后功能恢复的因素.     

Inter-rater reliability of motor and sensory examinations performed according to American Spinal Injury Association standards

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational. AIM: To examine inter-rater reliability of motor and sensory examinations performed according to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standards. SETTING: National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Results of ASIA motor and sensory examinations performed by two experienced examiners on 45 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) were compared. RESULTS: Total ASIA scores showed very strong correlation between the two examiners, with Pearson correlation coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients exceeding 0.96, P<0.01 for total motor, light touch and pin prick scores. The agreement for individual muscle testing of the 10 ASIA key muscles showed substantial agreement for majority of muscles, with the weighted Kappa coefficient range 0.649-0.993, P<0.05. The overall agreement in assignment of manual muscle testing grades (0-5) was 82% on the right and 84% on the left, with the strongest agreement for grade '0' and the weakest for grade '3'. The unweighted Kappa coefficient for agreement in motor and sensory levels ranged from 0.68 to 0.78 (P<0.01). There was no difference in ASIA impairment grades derived from the two examiners' results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results showed very good levels of agreement in ASIA clinical examinations between two experienced examiners. The established degree of variability due to inter-rater differences should be taken into account in study design of clinical trials with more than one assessor..