颈椎脊髓损伤的治疗现状和进展

颈脊髓损伤多源于交通伤、坠落伤、运动伤或暴力，患者多为青壮年，损伤后可出现截瘫、呼吸障碍甚至死亡。除损伤引起的颈椎管连续性破坏，骨折或脱位压边颈脊髓，后期的继发性损伤也是造成脊髓功能障碍的主要原因、近年来，我国对颈脊髓损伤的治疗取得了很大进步，包括现场急救水平的提高、外科干预和内固定技术的改进、保护神经细胞和促神经生长药物的临床应用、减少继发性损伤、理想的康复等措施，使对颈脊髓损伤患者的救治获得了满意的结果。文章评述了颈脊髓损伤的治疗现状及未来研究的设想。     

Spinal cord injury in the work force

Of 144 patients with spinal cord injury admitted to the Sunnybrook Medical Centre from 1974 to 1979, 25 (24 men) (17.4%) had sustained their injuries at work. The 25 patients ranged in age from 20 to 56 years, with more than half being in their third decade of life. Work-related spinal cord injury was more frequent in the thoracic region than spinal injuries from other causes. The injuries were generally severe, 24% of them being complete cord injuries (i.e., no sensory or motor function below the level of injury). The mean neurologic grade of these patients did not change substantially between the time of admission and discharge. The mortality was 8%. The pattern of spinal cord injury in this series was compared to that in the period 1948 to 1973, when 105 (29.3%) of 358 spinal cord injuries occurred at work, constituting the second most frequent cause of acute spinal cord injury, after traffic accidents. In the current series, only 17.4% sustained their injuries at work. This was the third most common cause of spinal injuries in this period after traffic accidents and sports-recreational injuries. Falls in industry were the most frequent mode of work injury from 1974 to 1979, compared with construction accidents in the earlier period. The number of work-related spinal cord injuries is still too high. Furthermore, the severe neurologic damage suffered and the lack of substantial improvement emphasize the importance of preventive efforts, especially in industry. The fact that work injuries now rank third as a relative cause of spinal injury may indicate an absolute decline in this type of injury, especially among construction workers.     

胸椎骨折伴胸骨骨折9例分析

目的对胸椎骨折伴发胸骨骨折进行初步探讨与分析。方法自2001年11月至2006年l0月，共收治胸椎骨折伴胸骨骨折患者9例，全部病例行X线、CT及MRI检查。根据患者年龄、性别、受伤原因、胸骨骨折部位、胸椎损伤节段及类型、脊髓损伤程度及其他合并伤等资料均作为相关信息列入分析。结果损伤原因以交通伤和坠落伤为主，3例为多节段骨折，9例合并多发创伤或多发骨折。脊髓损伤发生率高，损伤程度严重。结论胸椎骨折伴胸骨骨折的临床特点为致伤暴力强大，脊柱骨折、脊髓损伤严重，合并多发伤发生率高。胸骨是胸廓环的重要组成结构，并在维持胸椎的稳定性中发挥着重要的作用。     

多节段脊柱骨折的治疗

目的探讨多节段脊柱骨折的损伤机制，伤情特点及诊治方法。方法对于1998年10月至2003年12月期间脊柱多阶段骨折进行回顾性分析。52例多节段骨折，相邻型33例（63．5％），非相邻型19例（36．5％），其中胸腰段损伤30例（57．5％），50例（96％）伴有神经损伤，脊髓功能按Frankel分级，A级11例，B级17例，C级15例。D级7例。E级2例，平均年龄38岁，延迟诊断19例。损伤原因以高处坠落（55．8％），交通事故（25％）为主。保守治疗28例，手术治疗24例，除7例行胸椎单纯减压以外，颈椎、胸腰段、胸椎均行切开减压并不同内固定器械固定。计有Orion1例。TSRH1例，Dick4例，SF2例，RF3例，AF2例，CD4例。固定椎体跨2节到4节不等。结果经过平均16．5个月随访。52例多节段骨折均获骨性愈合，脊髓功能改善1级者21例，改善2级者11例，无改善者20例。其中FrankelA级11例，仅有2例有改善。结论多发性脊柱骨折发生率较低，易漏诊。伤情重，合并伤多，多伴有脊髓损伤，以青壮年男性多发。高空坠落，交通事故是常见原因。损伤的康复取决于脊髓受伤程度，手术积极干预，对患者康复有帮助。     

Neurosurgical trauma in People's Republic of China

An epidemiological investigation for neurological disorders was conducted in the People's Republic of China in 1983 and 1985. The incidence of traumatic neurological injury was 55.4 patients per 100,000 population in the six big cities and 64.1 patients in the 21 rural areas. The mortality rates were 6.3 per 100,000 population (male:female = 1.7:1.0) in the six cities and 9.7 (m:f = 2.5:1) in the rural areas. In the cities, the causes of brain injury were vehicle accidents (31.7%), followed by assaults (23.8%), falls (21.8%), stumbles (15.4%), and others. Brain concussion was 68.4%, contusion was 26.0%, and intracranial hematoma was 5.6%. The incidence of spinal cord injury was 0.67 per 100,000 population in Beijing and 1.37 in Shanghai. Male versus female ratio was 7 to 1 and the peak incidence was found in ages from 20 to 30 years old. In the past decade, vehicle accidents increased along with the increasing number of cars and motor bicycles. As a result of a series of administrative measures, such as improvement of traffic control and safe-driving education, mean mortality decreased from 33.4 per 10,000 motor vehicles in 1990 to 22.0 in 1995. It has been estimated that approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people die from vehicle accidents per year. Among these cases, brain injury accounts for 39% to 57% and spinal cord injury about 10%. Since vehicle accidents are the most common cause for neurotraumatic death, an effort is needed to prevent and to decrease the incidence of these accidental traumatic injuries.     

Neck injuries among the elderly in Sweden

Neck injuries are some of the most important injuries as they have the potential to influence the spinal cord. A previous national survey of neck injuries in Sweden revealed that injury incidence was increasing for the population over 65 years of age, although it was decreasing for the population as a whole. The aim of this study was therefore to further clarify the magnitude, severity, and external causes of neck injuries in the elderly people in Sweden. A national incidence study, with focus on the age group above 65 years, was undertaken with data from the injury surveillance program at the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. The investigation includes cervical vertebral fractures reported between 1987 and 1999, and cervical soft tissue injuries from 1997 to 1999. Data in the hospital discharge register were reported in ICD9 from 1987 to 1996, while data from 1997 to 1999 were reported in ICD10. During the study period 4168 cervical injuries occurred of which 341 were fatal. People above 65 years of age made up 17% of the population and sustained 30% of all cervical injuries and 43% of all fatal cervical injuries. Half of the cervical injuries were axis (C2) fractures. Lower vertebral fractures occurred in 16% of the cases and atlas (C1) fractures in 11%. The cervical soft tissue injuries amount to 19% of all injuries. Fall accidents account for the majority (71%) of the accidents. There is an increasing trend for fall accidents resulting in neck injuries. The male population has a higher incidence for neck fractures than females, disregarding the external cause of injury. The upper cervical injuries are the most common, have the longest hospital treatments, and seem to be caused mainly by low energy falls. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of these injuries and in this aspect engineering could contribute with valuable knowledge, through accident simulations with numerical models. The increasing incidence of fall injuries calls for further preventive actions. The public sector should implement preventive strategies to reduce the number of extrinsic accidents, while the health care sector should focus on preventing intrinsic accidents with individual actions for each patients.     

Spinal cord injury associated with blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm

The incidence of spinal cord injury associated with blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm is extremely low and rarely mentioned in the numerous reports about rupture of the diaphragm. It is thought that more such cases can be found among the fatalities of aircraft accidents and presumably among the fatalities of road traffic accidents as the forces causing such injuries make it unlikely for the casualty to survive. The authors present six cases encountered at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, England, and at Sheba Medical Centre, Israel. Although the mortality of such cases, if the patient survives the original impact, is usually due to associated injuries, early diagnosis is essential as late complications increase the incidence of delayed mortality.     

Spinal cord injury

In the UK, the annual incidence of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is 19 new cases per million population, contributing to an estimated 50,000 people who are currently living with SCI. Trauma is the most common cause of SCI, predominantly from falls and road traffic accidents. Damage to the spinal cord occurs both at the time of injury (primary) and in its aftermath (secondary). Effectively treating and preventing secondary cord injury, and managing complications associated with SCI, can make a significant improvement to patient outcomes. Improving outcomes in this patient population mean more patients with established SCIs are presenting for routine operations. Anaesthetists should be aware of the unique challenges posed by these patients, both in the acute and chronic settings.     

Spinal cord injury

In the UK, the annual incidence of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is 19 new cases per million population, contributing to an estimated 50,000 people who are currently living with SCI. Trauma is the most common cause of SCI, predominantly from falls and road traffic accidents. Damage to the spinal cord occurs both at the time of injury (primary) and in its aftermath (secondary). Effectively treating and preventing secondary cord injury, and managing complications associated with SCI, can make a significant improvement to patient outcomes. Improving outcomes in this patient population mean more patients with established SCIs are presenting for routine operations. Anaesthetists should be aware of the unique challenges posed by these patients, both in the acute and chronic settings.     

Multiple non-contiguous injuries to the spine.

Over a period of 4 years, 120 patients with an identified neurologic defect secondary to spinal cord injury were admitted to the UCD-Sacramento Medical Center. Of these cases five (4.2 per cent) were found to have multiple non-contiguous injuries to the spine which would have been capable of producing complete neurologic loss at either level. Proper treatment is dependent on diagnosis, and correct diagnosis is dependent on the awareness that multiple non-contiguous injuries to the vertebral column can occur in victims of severe motor vehicle accidents.     

急性颈髓损伤合并抗利尿激素分泌异常综合征的影响因素

目的 探讨急性颈髓损伤时,颈髓损伤的发病率及颈髓损伤严重程度、损伤平面、年龄、感染及颅脑损伤与抗利尿激素分泌异常综合征（SIADH）之间的关系。方法 对37例颈髓损伤患者按年龄、损伤程度、损伤平面、合并感染及颅脑损伤情况分组,而后进行统计学分析。结果 本组共19例合并SIADH,发病率为51.35%。年龄、颈髓损伤的程度,损伤平面与SIADH的发病率无关;与颈髓损伤的程度有明显关系;合并感染特别是肺炎SIADH的发病率明显增高。结论 急性颈髓损伤时SIADH的发病率与颈髓损伤的程度和感染有明显关系。与年龄、损伤平面无关。颅脑损伤可能是SIADH的重要诱因。     

颈髓损伤气管切开影响因素分析

[目的]探讨颈髓损伤患者气管切开的发生率和危险因素。[方法]收集整理1185例颈髓损伤患者的临床资料，统计气管切开率，通过Logistic回归分析评价年龄、性别、工作性质、受伤原因、颈髓损伤程度、颈髓损伤节段、治疗期间营养状态等因素对于患者气管切开率的影响。统计相关因素各分项下的气管切开率。[结果]99例患者被实施气管切开，气管切开率8．35％。年龄、颈髓损伤程度、颈髓损伤节段、受伤原因等因素与气管切开率相关，其他一些因素与气管切开率无显著相关性。随年龄的增长，颈髓损伤患者气管切开率逐渐增加，〈20岁的患者，无1例实施气管切开，〉60岁的患者气管切开率高达38．7％；随颈髓损伤程度的加重和节段的升高，气管切开率不断增加，ASIA分级D级颈髓损伤患者气管切开率为0．5％，而完全性颈髓损伤患者气管切开率高达19．1％；C7～C4节段的颈髓完全性损伤气管切开率分别为4．3％，22．3％，21．6％和32．7％，而c3和c3以上节段的完全性损伤患者，大部分在实施气管切开之前即发生死亡，故气管切开率并不高。高处坠落所致颈髓损伤患者较其他患者有更高的气管切开率。[结论]颈髓严重损伤、颈髓高位损伤和高龄是颈髓损伤患者气管切开的主要危险因素。高位的（c3和c3以上）颈髓完全性损伤患者应尽早实施气管切开。     

The Normal and Pathological Mobility of the Metacarpo-phalangeal Joint: An Analysis of 100 Patients

Over a period of 4 years, 120 patients -with an identified neurologic defect secondary to spinal cord injury were admitted to the UCD-Sacramento Medical Center. Of these cases five (4.2 per cent) were found to have multiple non-contiguous injuries to the spine which would have been capable of producing complete neurologic loss at either level. Proper treatment is dependent on diagnosis, and correct diagnosis is dependent on the awareness that multiple non-contiguous injuries to the vertebral column can occur in victims of severe motor vehicle accidents.     

Missed and mismanaged injuries of the spinal cord

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of missed and mismanaged injuries of the spinal cord, to identify factors contributing to a failure to recognize such injuries, and to assess the consequences of such failures. METHODS: Missed and mismanaged injuries were defined using previously validated statements. All medical records and radiographs of patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury admitted to the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Unit in Sheffield, United Kingdom, over a period of 10 years from 1989 were evaluated. Patients with no neurologic deficits were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 569 patients, the diagnosis of spinal cord injury was missed in 52 instances (9.1%). The patients were mismanaged in 34 instances, and the treatment offered to 30 was considered negligent. In 26 of 52 (50%), mismanagement resulted in neurologic deterioration. The study identified several factors that contributed to a failure to recognize a spinal cord injury. These include ambience and circumstances surrounding the injury, inadequate neurologic assessment, associated injuries, and radiographic errors. CONCLUSION: Despite a greater awareness of the potential for spinal injury after road traffic accidents, failure to recognize a spinal cord injury in the acute care setting appears to be increasing. Injuries are seldom missed because of an isolated cause, but rather because of a combination of several factors. Increased vigilance on the part of the primary care physicians and careful documentation may reduce allegations of medical negligence.     

The changing epidemiology of spinal trauma: a 13-year review from a Level I trauma centre

IntroductionSpinal injuries secondary to trauma are a major cause of patient morbidity and a source of significant health care expenditure. Increases in traffic safety standards and improved health care resources may have changed the characteristics and incidence of spinal injury. The purpose of this study was to review a single metropolitan Level I trauma centre's experience to assess the changing characteristics and incidence of traumatic spinal injuries and spinal cord injuries (SCI) over a 13-year period.Patients and methodsA retrospective review of patients admitted to a Level I trauma centre between 1996 and 2008 was performed. Patients with spinal fractures and SCI were identified. Demographics, mechanism of injury, level of spinal injury and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were extracted. The outcomes assessed were the incidence rate of SCI and in-hospital mortality.ResultsOver the 13-year period, 5.8% of all trauma patients suffered spinal fractures, with 21.7% of patients with spinal injuries having SCI. Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) were responsible for the majority of spinal injuries (32.6%). The mortality rate due to spinal injury decreased significantly over the study period despite a constant mean ISS. The incidence rate of SCI also decreased over the years, which was paralleled by a significant reduction in MVA associated SCI (from 23.5% in 1996 to 14.3% in 2001 to 6.7% in 2008). With increasing age there was an increase in spinal injuries; frequency of blunt SCI; and injuries at multiple spinal levels.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a reduction in mortality attributable to spinal injury. There has been a marked reduction in SCI due to MVAs, which may be related to improvements in motor vehicle safety and traffic regulations. The elderly population was more likely to suffer SCI, especially by blunt injury, and at multiple levels. Underlying reasons may be anatomical, physiological or mechanism related.     

Acute management of spinal cord injury.

Demographic trends in the occurrence of injury and improvements in the early management of spinal trauma are changing the long-term profile of patients with spinal cord injuries. More patients are surviving the initial injury, and proportionately fewer patients are sustaining complete injuries. While preventive efforts to reduce the overall incidence of spinal cord injury are important, a number of steps can be taken to minimize secondary injury once the initial trauma has occurred. Recent efforts have focused on understanding the biochemical basis of secondary injury and developing pharmacologic agents to intervene in the progression of neurologic deterioration. The Third National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study investigators concluded that methylprednisolone improves neurologic recovery after acute spinal cord injury and recommended that patients who receive methylprednisolone within 3 hours of injury should be maintained on the treatment regimen for 24 hours. When methylprednisolone therapy is initiated 3 to 8 hours after injury, it should continue for 48 hours. In addition to the adoption of the guidelines of that study, rapid reduction and stabilization of injuries causing spinal cord compression are critical steps in optimizing patients' long-term neurologic and functional outcomes.     

非相邻性多节段脊柱骨折的诊疗探讨

目的探讨非相邻性多节段脊柱骨折的致伤机制、伤情特点及诊治方法。方法对1992年8月～2003年8月共38例非相邻性多节段不稳定脊柱骨折进行回顾性分析。结果患者平均年龄35.7岁,40岁以下占78.9%,致伤原因中交通事故和高空坠落伤占81.5%,94.7%的病例合并有神经损伤。所有病例均采用手术治疗,经平均36.7个月随访骨折部位全部获骨性融合,84.2%的病例神经功能有1～2级的恢复。结论非相邻性多节段脊柱骨折伤情重,合并伤多,多数伴有脊髓损伤,以青壮年男性多发,交通事故和高空坠落伤是最常见伤因,早期积极的手术治疗,可取得良好的疗效。     

Cervical injuries in Sweden,a national survey of patient data from 1987 to 1999

Neck injuries are one of the most important injuries as they have the potential to influence the spinal cord. Data from most parts of the world are not sufficient to define a comprehensive view of mortality, morbidity, disability and handicap due to neck injuries. In Sweden, there are no data on the incidence of neck injuries. The aim of this study is to define the national incidence and causes of neck injuries in Sweden. An incidence study was undertaken with data from the injury surveillance program at the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. The investigation includes cervical vertebral fractures reported between 1987 and 1999, and cervical soft tissue injuries over a period of three years, from 1997 to 1999. Data between 1987 and 1996 were reported in ICD 9, while data from 1997 to 1999 were reported in ICD 10. During the study period, 14,310 non-fatal and 782 fatal cervical injuries occurred. A decreasing incidence for cervical fractures can be seen for the Swedish population, except for the elderly that have a slight increase in incidence. The incidence for cervical soft tissue injuries is almost constant. Cervical fractures demand longer periods of hospitalization than the soft tissue injuries. Transportation-related cervical fractures have dropped since 1991, while soft tissue injuries increased slowly between 1997 and 1999. Fall accidents are now the largest external cause of cervical fractures, and the population above 65 years accounts for almost 50% of the fall accidents. The male population has a higher incidence of cervical fractures, disregarding age. It is concluded that safety programs for transportation-related injuries in Sweden have been successful, while fall accidents are still substantial. Much more can be done to prevent neck injuries; especially to reduce the number of transportation-related cervical soft tissue injuries and fall injuries in the elderly population.     

Pathophysiology and pharmacologic treatment of acute spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The past three decades have witnessed increasing interest in strategies to improve neurologic function after spinal cord injury. As progress is made in our understanding of the pathophysiologic events that occur after acute spinal cord injury, neuroprotective agents are being developed. PURPOSE: Clinicians who treat acute spinal cord injuries should have a basic understanding of the pathophysiologic processes that are initiated after the spinal cord has been injured. A familiarity with the literature on which the current use of methylprednisolone is based is also essential. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Literature review. METHODS: Literature review of animal data on pathophysiologic mechanisms, and of both animal and human trials of neuroprotective agents. RESULTS: The mechanical forces imparted to the spinal cord cause primary damage to the neural tissue, but a complex cascade of pathophysiologic processes that imperil adjacent, initially spared tissue to secondary damage rapidly follows this. Attenuating this secondary damage with neuroprotective strategies requires an understanding of these pathophysiologic processes. Many researchers are investigating the role of such processes as ischemia, inflammation, ionic homeostasis and apoptotic cell death in the secondary injury cascade, with hopes of developing specific therapies to diminish their injurious effects. Beyond methylprednisolone, a number of other pharmacologic treatments have been investigated for the acute treatment of spinal cord injury, and even more are on the horizon as potential therapies. CONCLUSIONS: This review summarizes some of the important pathophysiologic processes involved in secondary damage after spinal cord injury and discusses a number of pharmacologic therapies that have either been studied or have future potential for this devastating injury.