男性脊柱骨折合并不完全性脊髓损伤患者性功能障碍分析

目的　研究脊柱骨折合并不完全性脊髓损伤患者的性功能状况。　方法　对 73例脊柱骨折合并不完全性脊髓损伤患者进行回顾性分析 ,通过Frankel分级评定神经功能 ,采用勃起功能国际指数评价患者的性功能 ,并对性功能障碍患者进一步测定其反射性勃起和精神性勃起的情况。　结果　最后随访时 2 1例患者存在性功能障碍 ,FrankelB级和C级之间、D级和E级之间性功能障碍发生率差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,C级和D级之间性功能障碍发生率差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。 2 1例患者中 ,1例患者既无反射性勃起 ,也无精神性勃起 ;9例患者只有反射性勃起 ;3例患者只有精神性勃起 ;8例患者为混合性勃起。　结论　在脊柱脊髓损伤患者中 ,有较高的性功能障碍发生 ,随着脊髓损伤程度的加重 ,性功能障碍的发生率升高。当胸腰段以上脊髓损伤时 ,精神性勃起受到损害 ;当骶段脊髓损伤时 ,反射性勃起可受到损害。     

高压氧在脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤术后的应用效果分析

目的 观察高压氧辅助治疗脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤的临床效果.方法 选取2017年3月至2020年3月河源市人民医院收治的52例脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤患者作为研究对象,并按照治疗方法将其分为研究组与对照组,每组26例,两组患者入院后均予以常规手术治疗.术后,对照组患者予以常规治疗,研究组患者在常规治疗的基础上应用高压氧治疗,对...     

高压氧疗法联合延续性护理对脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤患者神经功能恢复和情绪的影响

目的:探究高压氧疗法(hyperbaric oxygen therapy,HBOT)联合延续性护理对脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤(spinal cord injury,SCI)患者神经功能恢复和情绪的影响。方法:选取2016年4月至2018年4月在陆军军医大学附属第一医院接受治疗的脊柱骨折合并SCI患者84例,按随机数字表法将...     

脊柱骨折合并胸腹损伤17例临床分析

回顾性分析17例脊柱骨折合并胸、腹损伤的临床救治资料。对脊柱骨折合并胸、腹损伤应早期诊断,并早期实行综合救治,改善微循环,预防脊髓继发性损伤,及早预防ARDS、MODS的发生。     

前后路减压治疗胸腰段脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤疗效观察

【摘要】 目的 研究探讨前、后路减压治疗胸腰段脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤的临床效果。方法 选取2017年3月至2019年12月河南中医药大学人民医院收治的70例胸腰段脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤患者作为研究对象,并按照随机数表法将其随机分为前路组（35例）和后路组（35例）,其中前路组患者采用经胸腹膜外入路的前路减压手术治疗,后路组患者采用经胸背部入路的后路减压手术治疗,对比两组患者术中出血量、手术时间、Cobb角、伤椎前缘高度及触觉、运动评分与患者满意度情况。结果 前路组患者术中出血量、手术时间明显高于后路组（t=218.60、65.37,P均＜0.001）;术后5周,两组患者Cobb角、伤椎前缘高度、触觉及运动评分均明显升高,且前路组均高于后路组（t=11.90、6.817、3.273、2.676,P＜0.001、P＜0.001、P=0.002、P=0.009）;术后3个月随访,前路组患者满意18例、较为满意15例、不满意2例,总满意度为94.29%,明显优于后路组患者的满意12例、较为满意13例、不满意10例,总满意度71.43%（Z=-2.125,P=0.034）。结论 前路减压术治疗胸腰段脊柱骨折合并脊髓损能够更好地重建椎体高度,矫正脊柱畸形,神经恢复效果更好,患者满意度更高,临床应用价值较高。     

腰椎脊柱爆裂性骨折伴急性脊髓损伤患者血清NFL、HSP70、NSE表达与神经功能的关系

目的 研究腰椎脊柱爆裂性骨折伴急性脊髓损伤(SCI)患者血清神经丝轻链(NFL)、热休克蛋白70(HSP70)、神经元特异性稀醇化酶(NSE)表达与神经功能的关系.方法 前瞻性选取2018年1月—2020年4月期间空军军医大学第一附属医院骨科收治的113例脊柱爆裂性骨折患者,均为腰椎爆裂性骨折,根据美国脊髓损伤协会(ASIA)神经功能分级法,分为完全SCI组34例,不完全SCI组79例;男性51例,女性62例;年龄45～66岁,平均55.7岁;道路交通伤94例,高处坠落伤19例;糖尿病7例,冠心病4例,高血压7例;饮酒史23例、吸烟史17例.同时纳入同期在笔者医院行身体检查的60例健康志愿者为对照组,比较三组受试者治疗前血清NFL、HSP70和NSE水平.患者均行后路长节段椎弓根螺钉固定术,随访6个月后,根据神经功能恢复情况,将患者分成预后良好组(72例)和预后不良组(41例).单因素分析两组患者基线资料,对差异有统计学意义的单因素进行Logistic多因素回归分析,探究脊柱爆裂性骨折患者预后的独立影响因素,并应用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估血清指标与神经功能的关系.结果 完全SCI组、不完全SCI组和对照组受试者血清NFL[(67.4±6.7)pg/mL vs.(29.3±6.4)pg/mL vs(6.0±1.5)pg/mL,F=58.304,P<0.001]、HSP70[(26.6±4.9)ng/mLvs.(19.2±4.6)ng/mLvs.(13.2±3.4)ng/mL,F=13.633,P<0.001]和NSE[(24.9±3.0)ng/mL vs.(14.7±3.6)ng/mL vs.(10.2±3.0)ng/mL,F=10.431,P<0.001]差异有统计学意义.随访6个月,预后不良组血清NFL[(59.2±7.0)pg/mL vs.(18.3±4.0)pg/mL,t=34.416,P<0.001]、HSP70[(20.3±3.1)ng/mL vs.(15.3±3.3)ng/mL,t=7.937,P<0.001]和NSE[(21.0±4.1)ng/mL vs.(12.8±3.0)ng/mL,t=11.385,P<0.001]表达明显高于预后良好组.Logistic结果表明血清NFL(OR=2.776,95％CI:2.238～3.444)、血清HSP70(OR=2.998,95％CI:1.513～5.942)和血清NSE(OR=1.879,95％CI:1.219～2.898)等指标是爆裂性骨折合并SCI患者预后不良的独立影响因素(P<0.05).根据ROC曲线可得,血清NFL诊断的临界值为40.39pg/mL,其对应的敏感度为73.17％,特异度为73.61％,曲线下面积(AUC)为0.801(95％CI:0.750～0.852);血清HSP70诊断的临界值为17.33ng/mL,其对应的敏感度为70.73％,特异度为69.44％,AUC为0.760(95％CI:0.707～0.812);血清NSE诊断的临界值为16.03ng/mL,其对应的敏感度为58.54％,特异度为58.33％,AUC为0.631(95％CI:0.564～0.698).将回归预测方程作为新变量P,在最佳临界切点时,回归分析的敏感度为80.49％,特异度为79.17％,AUC为0.869(95％CI:0.831～0.907),有一定的预测价值.结论 血清NFL、HSP70和NSE在脊柱爆裂性骨折合并SCI患者异常高表达,且上述诸血清因子是患者神经功能预后不良的独立危险因素.     

脊柱脊髓开放性损伤15例

目的 探讨脊柱脊髓开放性损伤的临床特点、诊断和治疗.方法 15例脊柱脊髓开放损伤患者,男14例,女1例;年龄15～46岁,平均23岁.损伤部位:颈脊髓2例,胸脊髓11例,腰脊髓2例.刀刺伤12例,火器伤2例,木棍刺伤1例.术前按美国脊髓损伤学会(ASIA)分级:A级1例,B级2例,C级7例,D级4例,E级1例.4例伤口内有异物存留,合并棘突骨折3例,椎板骨折8例,椎体骨折5例.15例均行急诊手术清创,根据损伤具体情况,行椎管探查、血肿清除、异物取出术.结果 术后发生脑脊液漏2例;1例术后伤口感染,无脊髓感染;5例术后神经功有不同程度的恢复.术后ASIA分级:A级1例,B级0例,C级3例,D级10例,E级1例.结论 脊柱脊髓开放性损伤需在充分地术前准备下急诊手术治疗,术前应了解是否有异物存留,手术探查减压,有利于脊髓功能的恢复,减少污染、出血等并发症的发生.     

脊柱脊髓损伤的临床表现与诊断

脊柱脊髓损伤是一种严重的损伤。凡脊柱遭受到较大外力，伤后主诉脊柱局限性疼痛和运动障碍的患者，均有脊柱骨折脱位的可能。如脊柱某一部位有肿胀、压痛和畸形，或合并下肢瘫痪，即可肯定脊柱骨折的诊断。X线检查是确定脊柱骨折脱位及损伤机制的重要方法，而CT、MRI则对脊柱脊髓损伤的伤情判断及预后估计有很好的参考价值。现就其常见类型介绍如下。1胸腰椎损伤的临床表现与论断1．1脊柱的三柱分类学说1983年，Denis根据400多例胸腰椎损伤的治疗经验，提出三往分类概念。三柱分类即将胸腰椎分成前、中、后三柱；前柱包括前纵韧带、椎体…     

前后路减压治疗胸腰段脊柱骨折合并脊髓损伤的对比分析

目的比较分析前后路减压治疗胸腰段骨折合并脊髓损伤患者的手术方法及其疗效。方法回顾性分析2013年5月~2015年2月住院治疗的60例胸腰段骨折合并脊髓损伤患者的临床资料,根据手术方法分为前路组和后路组(各30例),前路组采用前路减压法治疗,后路组采用后路减压法治疗,比较两组患者治疗时间、出血量以及触觉评分、运动评分、伤椎高度、Cobb’s角。结果前路组平均术中出血量(598.3±46.1)m L,后路组(358.2±34.1)m L,前路组多于后路组(P0.05);后路组平均手术时间(201.6±21.5)min,前路组(243.8±16.8)min,前路组多于后路组(P0.05)。两组治疗前触觉评分及运动评分均无差异(P0.05)。后路组治疗后平均触觉评分为(56.4±12.2)分、运动评分为(54.4±14.8)分,前路组则分别为(76.0±14.5)分、(76.5±18.3)分,两组均较治疗前显著改善,且前路组优于后路组(P0.05)。前路组治疗后平均Cobb’s角(44±5)°、伤椎高度(3.8±0.5)cm,后路组(31±2)°、(2.5±0.4)cm,两组均较治疗前显著改善,且前路组相比后路组治疗后更优(P0.05)。结论前后路减压疗法各有优势,前路减压法复位效果更好,可显著解除脊髓受压情况,改善触觉、运动功能以及伤椎高度、Cobb’s角,在临床上有很大应用前景。     

Rho-A mRNA 在大鼠脊髓损伤中的表达及与损伤程度的相关性

目的观察大鼠不同时间和不同损伤程度下，损伤段脊髓内Rho—A mRNA的表达及与损伤程度的相关性。方法按WD法制模，将SD大鼠135只随机分成3组，A组为全瘫组，B组为不全瘫，C组为空白手术对照组，每组分别为45只。致伤后8h、24h、3d、7d、28d，提取损伤段脊髓内的总RNA，荧光定量PCR和凝胶电泳检测Rho—A mRNA的表达，进行大鼠后肢运动功能评分，并作相关性分析。结果（1）A、B、C组在各时间点均有Rho—A mRNA表达，但同时间点A、B组的表达明显高于C组，A组同时间点的表达高于B组，C组各时间点表达维持在较恒定水平；脊髓损伤后8hRho-A mRNA表达增加，伤后3d达高峰，持续高水平表达28d。（2）C组各时间点大鼠后肢运动功能评分明显高于A、B组，A组同时间点的评分低于B组。结论脊髓损伤后Rho—A mRNA的表达明显升高，且与脊髓损伤程度呈正相关。     

Upper urinary tract changes in patients with spinal cord injury

Two hundred and six intravenous urograms on 119 patients with spinal cord injury were reviewed and the findings correlated with the clinical data. Fifty (42%) of 119 patients had pathological changes in their upper urinary tracts. The most common feature was impaired renal emptying. Patients with normal and pathological upper tracts had similar findings according to the number of positive urine cultures during the first post-injury year, but in the follow-up those with pathological urograms showed bacteriuria significantly more often. Febrile urinary tract infections at least once a year were encountered in the follow-up of 40% of the patients with pathological urograms, as compared with 8% with normal urograms. All patients with severe renal changes had impaired emptying from the kidneys. This supports the view that the basic patho-physiological mechanism leading to upper tract deterioration in patients with spinal cord injury is a functional or mechanical obstruction of the lower urinary tract. This should be treated actively before irreversible renal changes develop.     

创伤性脑损伤患者血小板、白细胞的动态变化及临床意义

目的 探明创伤性脑损伤患者白细胞(WBC)、血小板(PLT)的动态变化及临床意义. 方法 采用血细胞分析仪测定63例创伤性脑损伤患者不同时间点的白细胞与血小板数量,并结合GOS、是否合并感染进行比较分析.同时采用ELIISA法观测C反应蛋白(CRP)、凝血酶敏感蛋白1(TSP1)的浓度变化并进行相关分析. 结果 患者是否合并感染WBC在伤后24 h内都显著增高(P<0.01),非感染组患者在4 d时与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),降至10×109/L以下,但感染组患者4 d时仍高于正常(P<0.05).感染及预后不良患者WBC在7～14 d 出现二次升高,PLT在14～21 d显著升高(P<0.01).TSP1的浓度变化与CRP呈正相关关系(r=0.720,P<0.01). 结论 WBC的动态变化为预防性抗生素使用提供依据;感染可能引起患者后期高凝状态,注意监测感染患者14～21 d PLIT的变化;WBC二次升高及PLT后期升高影响患者预后;TSP1与CRP可能参与炎症引发血栓形成的过程.     

胸腰段骨折并脊髓损伤再手术疗效分析

目的 探讨胸腰段骨折合并脊髓损伤患者I期前路/后路手术后Ⅱ期再手术的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2005年1月-2009年3月胸腰段骨折合并脊髓损伤单纯前/后路手术后残存后凸畸形伴神经功能恢复不全或未做Ⅱ期手术疗效患者12例.男9例,女3例;年龄19～57岁,平均34.6岁.根据Dems分型,爆裂型5例,压缩型5例,骨折脱位2例.I期前路手术5例,I期后路手术7例.I期手术后均存在不同程度的神经症状,对I期前路手术5例患者行Ⅱ期后路手术.I期后路手术7例者行Ⅱ期前路手术.I期手术至Ⅱ期手术最长18个月,最短12个月,平均时间13.4个月.通过影像学、神经功能及社会功能综合评估疗效,包括测量Cobb角、Frankel分级和日本骨科学会(JOA)评分.结果 术后切口均I期愈合.所有患者均获得随访,随访时间12～48个月,平均25个月.伤椎前、后缘高度压缩率术前平均42.6%、70.5%,术后平均恢复至92.5%、95,7%,至末次随访时为87.3%、92.2%;脊髓不完全损伤的患者神经功能均有Frankel 2级以上的改善.所有患者Ⅱ期术后胸腰椎生理弧度良好.Cobb角术前平均36.3°,术后矫正至5.8.,末次随访时为5.9°.JOA评分标准术后改善率,本组优9例,良2例,可1例,差0例.结论 对胸腰段骨折合并脊髓损伤患者I期前路/后路手术1年后残存神经或马尾临床症状患者行Ⅱ期手术减压后取得理想疗效,可获得满意的后凸畸形矫正和神经减压,神经功能均有不同程度恢复.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the outcome of reoperation(after I stage anterior/posterior operation)for thoracolumbar fractures combined with kyphosis and spinal cord injury. Methods A retrospective study was done on the medical records of 12 patients who underwent two-stage decompression with kyphosis and neurologic deficit due to single-stage approach(anterior or posterior) operation of thoracolumbar fractures combined with spinal cord injury between January 2005 and April 2009.There were 9 males and 3 females,at mean age of 34.6 years(range,19-57 years).According to the Denis classification,there were five patients with burst fractures,five with compression fractures and two with fracture dislocation.All the patients had couns medullaris injury.Of all the patients,five underwent one stage anterior approach surgery and the others underwent posterior approach operation.All the patients had vailous degrees of neurological symptoms.The patients treated with one stage anterior surgery were treated with two stage posterior surgery and the patients treated with one stage posterior surgery were treated with the two stage anterior operation.The mean interval from one stage operation to two stage decompression was 13.4 months(range,12-18 months).The radiologic,neurologic and functional outcomes were assessed through observation of the Cobb angle,Frankel spinal cord injury grading and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores(JOA). Results AIl the patients were followed up for mean 25 months (12-48months),which showed primary healing of the incisions in all the patients.The average anterior and posterior heisht of the vertebrae wers corrected from preoperative 42.6%and 70.5%to postoperative 92.5%and 95.7%and to 87.3%and 92.2%at the final follow-up respectively.Neurologic status was improved at least one Frankel grade in the patients who had preoperative incomplete paraplegia.The Cobb angle was corrected from preoperative 36.3°to postoperative 5.8°and to 5.9°at the final follow-up(P<0.05).No patient had any notable loss of correction between discharge and final follow-up.According to JOA coring,the results were excellent in nine patients,good in two and fair in one,with excellence rate of 92%. Conclusions Two stage decompression for epiconus and cauda equina syndrome resulted from one stage approach(anterior or posterior)operation of thoracolumbar fractures combined with spinal cord injury call attain satisfactory correction of the kyphosis and nerve decompression as well as various degrees of nerve function recovery.     

利多卡因辅助麻醉在老年创伤性颈胸段脊髓损伤减压手术的应用

目的探讨利多卡因辅助麻醉在老年创伤性颈胸段脊髓损伤减压手术的应用方法与效果。方法回顾性分析2015年2月—2017年12月在湖北医药学院附属襄阳市第一人民医院进行诊治的创伤性颈胸段脊髓损伤老年患者78例的临床资料,其中男性42例,女性36例;平均年龄(68.24±3.22)岁;道路交通伤41例,高处坠落伤21例,重物砸伤9例,运动损伤7例。根据麻醉方法不同分为利多卡因组(利多卡因辅助麻醉)与右美托咪定组(右美托咪定辅助麻醉)各39例,两组均给予减压手术治疗。记录、观察两组围手术期并发症情况、术后脊髓神经功能、术后日本骨科协会颈椎评分系统(JOA)评分、术后血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素-6(IL-6)水平及患者麻醉满意度。结果患者均顺利完成手术与麻醉,围手术期无严重并发症发生,两组患者在麻醉前、术后1h的收缩压、舒张压、心率无显著波动(P>0.05)。术后3d利多卡因组中脊髓神经功能0级1例,Ⅰ级2例,Ⅱ级2例,Ⅲ级4例,Ⅳ级30例;右美托咪定组中分别为5、6、8、10与10例(P<0.05)。利多卡因组与右美托咪定组术后3个月的JOA评分均高于术后3d,利多卡因组高于右美托咪定组(P<0.05)。两组术后14d的血清TNF-α、IL-6值低于术后1d,利多卡因组低于右美托咪定组(P<0.05)。术后14d利多卡因组与右美托咪定组的麻醉满意度分别为100.0%和84.6%(P<0.05)。结论利多卡因辅助麻醉应用于老年创伤性颈胸段脊髓损伤减压手术具有很好的安全性,能促进保护脊髓神经功能与改善颈椎功能,抑制炎症因子的释放,具有很好的麻醉效果。     

脊髓损伤病人肠道管理

肠道功能障碍已经逐渐被认为是脊髓损伤病人治疗过程中遇到的最主要问题之一。脊髓损伤后的肠道管理是指通过最小程度的物理手段和药物干预,使脊髓损伤病人获得定期和规律的肠道排空,减少相关症状的发生。一个有效的肠道管理能够降低各种肠道并发症的发生率,提高患者的生活质量。本文就脊髓损伤病人的肠道管理研究进展进行综述。     

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the cervical cord in acute spinal cord injury with type II odontoid fracture

The authors present a case of acute spinal cord injury demonstrated by diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) of the cervical cord. DWI taken 2 hours after injury showed intramedullary hyperintensity with a decrease of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value at C1-C2 vertebral levels. On T -weighted images obtained 1 month after injury, the lesion was hyperintense, indicating the existence of myelomalacia. DWI of the cervical cord provided satisfactory images and was a useful method for detecting and visualizing of the affected cord in the super-early stage.(2)     

胸腰椎爆裂性骨折与脊髓损伤的关系

胸腰椎爆裂性骨折是临床上常见的严重创伤,其严重后果是脊髓神经组织的损伤。近10年来,对胸腰椎爆裂性骨折引起脊髓损伤的机制研究更加深入,对胸腰椎爆裂性骨折与脊髓损伤的关系有了进一步认识。本文就这些方面的实验和临床研究现状及进展作一综述。     

脑损伤患者糖皮质激素及其相关指标的变化

目的 探索颅脑创伤(traumatic brain injury,TBI)导致血皮质醇激素异常分泌的规律及其临床意义. 方法 收集55例TBI患者和13例正常人血清标本,应用酶放大化学发光法、放射免疫法分别测定血清总皮质醇、促肾上腺皮质激素、类固醇结合球蛋白水平,并运用Coolen公式计算游离皮质醇水平和游离皮质醇指数.结果 TBI后患者的类固醇结合球蛋白较稳定,而皮质醇及其他相关激素水平均明显升高,且随伤情加重有升高趋势.手术可部分解除应激反应,不导致激素异常分泌.升高的激素越快降至正常,患者预后越好.如果皮质醇激素过低,预后也较差. 结论 TBI会导致血皮质醇及其他相关激素升高,皮质醇持续过高或过低者预后不佳,TBI早期大量补充激素治疗须慎重.     

The early evolution of spinal cord lesions on MR imaging following traumatic spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: How early spinal cord injury (SCI) lesions evolve in patients after injury is unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize the early evolution of spinal cord edema and hemorrhage on MR imaging after acute traumatic SCI.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 48 patients with clinically complete cervical spine injury. Inclusion criteria were the clear documentation of the time of injury and MR imaging before surgical intervention within 72 hours of injury. The length of intramedullary spinal cord edema and hemorrhage was assessed. The correlation between time to imaging and lesion size was determined by multiple regression analysis. Short-interval follow-up MR imaging was also available for a few patients (n = 5), which allowed the direct visualization of changes in spinal cord edema.RESULTS: MR imaging demonstrated cord edema in 100% of patients and cord hemorrhage in 67% of patients. The mean longitudinal length of cord edema was 10.3 ± 4.0 U, and the mean length of cord hemorrhage was 2.6 ± 2.0 U. Increased time to MR imaging correlated to increased spinal cord edema length (P = .002), even after accounting for the influence of other variables. A difference in time to MR imaging of 1.2 days corresponded to an average increase in cord edema by 1 full vertebral level. Hemorrhage length was not affected by time to imaging (P = .825). A temporal increase in the length of spinal cord edema was confirmed in patients with short-interval follow-up MR imaging (P = .003).CONCLUSION: Spinal cord edema increases significantly during the early time period after injury, whereas intramedullary hemorrhage is comparatively static.

Acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event with an incidence of approximately 11,000 injuries in the United States each year.¹ MR imaging is critical to the assessment of acute cervical SCI because it clearly depicts lesion location, extent, and severity. Spinal cord intramedullary edema and hemorrhage are readily appreciated^2,3 and, to some extent, correlate with the clinical neurologic deficit.^4–10 Prior studies have also revealed that both the presence of hemorrhage and increased hematoma length at MR imaging are associated with decreased motor recovery.^7–10Following the immediate structural and neurovascular insult, acute SCI sets into motion a cascade of secondary injuries.^11,12 Work in animals has shown that intramedullary spinal cord hemorrhage and edema are dynamic, whether assessed by histopathology or MR imaging.^13,14The extent to which cord lesions evolve in patients during the early phase of SCI (ie, the first hours and days postinjury) is unknown; therefore, given similar clinical deficits, it is unclear to what extent variability in lesion size reflects differences in time to imaging after trauma. Similarly, it is not clear whether lesion expansion when observed on a short-interval follow-up MR imaging study is an ominous sign or a usual feature in the natural evolution of SCI. This fundamental lack of knowledge is particularly limiting with regard to research aimed at preventing the secondary injury cascade. With an increasing number of therapies for SCI coming to trial, MR imaging can be expected to continue to be increasingly incorporated into research protocols for these agents. An understanding of the acute evolution of SCI lesions on MR imaging is essential if imaging is to be used effectively in these protocols. Additionally, the variability of SCI lesions with time, if demonstrated, would likely have a significant impact on efforts to correlate spinal cord lesion size and location to the neurologic level of injury, because prior studies have not systematically accounted for differences in time to imaging. Such variability currently limits the reliability of MR imaging to serve as an accurate predictor of the patient''s neurologic level and prognosis. This limitation is unfortunate in situations in which the MR imaging findings might be of particular utility, such as in the assessment of the obtunded patients or in patients not undergoing clinical evaluation at a specialized SCI center.To better understand the evolution of SCI lesions, we retrospectively studied how the time interval between trauma and MR imaging affects spinal cord lesion size in patients with similar neurologic deficits. We also directly measured cord edema changes in a small number of patients for whom short-term MR imaging follow-up was available.