Suppression of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia by immunoneutralization of nerve growth factor in lumbosacral spinal cord in spinal cord injured rats

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of intrathecal application of nerve growth factor (NGF) antibodies (NGF-Abs) and desensitization of C-fiber afferent pathways by capsaicin treatment on detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) after spinal cord injury (SCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In adult female rats SCI was induced by complete transection of the spinal cord at Th8 to 9. Ten days after spinalization vehicle or NGF-Ab (10 microg daily) was continuously administered at the level of the L6-S1 spinal cord through an implanted intrathecal catheter connected to an osmotic pump for 2 weeks. Another group of spinalized rats was treated with capsaicin (125 mg/kg subcutaneously) 3 weeks after spinalization and 5 days before experiments. Simultaneous recordings of intravesical pressure and urethral perfusion pressure were then performed. NGF levels in the L6 spinal cord were measured in vehicle or NGF-Ab treated spinalized rats using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: DSD was observed in all vehicle treated spinalized rats. The average urethral pressure increase at the peak bladder contraction was significantly lower by 84% and 78% in NGF-Ab and capsaicin treated spinalized rats, respectively, than in vehicle treated rats. After NGF-Ab treatment NGF levels were significantly decreased by 38% in the L6 spinal cord compared with vehicle treated spinalized rats, in which NGF levels in the L6 spinal cord were 7 times higher than in spinal intact rats. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of NGF in the spinal cord could contribute to the emergence of DSD that is at least in part mediated by C-fiber bladder afferents after SCI. Thus suppression of NGF levels in afferent pathways could be useful for treating DSD following SCI.     

腰椎骨折脊髓不全损伤病人膀胱功能训练研究

目的 探讨促进腰椎骨折脊髓不全损伤病人排尿障碍恢复的方法。方法 将51例病人随机分为观察组(32例)和对照组(19例)。观察组采用间歇导尿配合药物治疗,对照组仅采用留置导尿,任其自然恢复。观察两组病人尿管保留时间、膀胱排尿功能恢复时间及泌尿系感染情况等。结果 观察组和对照组尿管保留时间,拔除尿管后膀胱自主排尿恢复时间,排尿恢复正常的例数,泌尿系感染、后遗症发生情况比较,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05、P<0.01)。结论 科学的膀胱功能训练可促进病人膀胱功能早日恢复。     

Urethral stent for the treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia: evaluation of the clinical, urodynamic, endoscopic and radiological efficacy after more than 1 year

PURPOSE: We studied the intermediate-term clinical, urodynamic, endoscopic and radiological efficacy of the Ultraflex urethral stent (Boston Scientific Co., Boston, Massachusetts) for the treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in spinal cord injured patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 consecutive men presenting with DSD due to spinal cord injury (39) or various spinal cord diseases (9) were treated with the Ultraflex stent. DSD was demonstrated by urodynamic assessment with electromyographic recording of the striated urethral sphincter muscle activity. RESULTS: Postoperatively, all patients voided by reflex. The number of patients with symptomatic postoperative urinary tract infection decreased significantly (p <0.001). Urodynamic assessment (mean followup +/- SD 2.2 +/- 1.3 years) showed reduction of mean peak detrusor pressure from 65.7 +/- 27.8 to 46.4 +/- 28.8 cm H2O (p <0.005) and reduction of mean residual urine from 231.6 +/- 168.1 to 70.3 +/- 85.6 ml (p <0.0005). Mean urethral closing pressure was markedly reduced from 73.9 +/- 40.9 to 23.8 +/- 25.1 cm H2O (p <0.0005). Mean endoscopic followup was 1.7 +/- 1.1 years. Mean percentage of epithelialization was 90.8% +/- 19.7%, and no obstructive granulation tissue or stone encrustation was observed inside the stent. On ultrasound signs of hydronephrosis persisted in only 1 of 8 patients. There were no immediate postoperative complications. Complementary bladder neck incision was performed in 21% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Ultraflex stent appears to be effective for intermediate-term treatment of DSD on the basis of clinical, urodynamic, endoscopic and radiological parameters.     

Botulinum a toxin and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia: a double-blind lidocaine-controlled study in 13 patients with spinal cord disease

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerance of botulinum A toxin (BTx) versus lidocaine (L), applied in the external urethral sphincter with a single transperineal injection in order to treat detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in spinal cord injured patients. METHODS: Thirteen patients (1F, 12 M) suffering from chronic urinary retention due to DSD were randomised to receive one transperineal injection of 100 IU BTx Botox degrees in 4 ml of 9% saline (botulinum group, (BG)) or 4 ml of 0.5% L (lidocaine group, (LG)). The main criteria of efficacy was post-voiding residual urine volume (PRUV), assessed three times daily on day one (D1), D7 and D30 after each injection. Other criteria were micturition diary, satisfaction score (SS), maximal urethral pressure (MUP), maximum detrusor pressure (DP) and type of DSD, recorded on D0 and D30. RESULTS: In the BG, there was a significant decrease in PRUV (D7: -141.4 ml (p<0.03); D30: -159.4 ml (p<0.01)), in MUP (D30: -32 cm H(2)O, p<0.04) whereas no significant improvement was shown in the LG. SS was higher in BG than LG (p<0.02). DSD improved in BG whereas it remained unchanged in LG. All LG patients also received one injection of BTx on D30. They still presented improvement in PRUV and MUP 1 month later (D30'). Tolerance appeared satisfactory in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of this initial randomised double-blind study clearly demonstrated the superiority of BTx compared to L in improving clinical symptoms and urethral hypertonia associated with DSD in spinal cord injured patients.     

Neurocontrol of Movement in Humans With Spinal Cord Injury

In this review of neurocontrol of movement after spinal cord injury, we discuss neurophysiological evidences of conducting and processing mechanisms of the spinal cord. We illustrate that external afferent inputs to the spinal cord below the level of the lesion can modify, initiate, and maintain execution of movement in absence or partial presence of brain motor control after chronic spinal cord injury. We review significant differences between spinal reflex activity elicited by single and repetitive stimulation. The spinal cord can respond with sensitization, habituation, and dis‐habituation to regular repetitive stimulation. Therefore, repetitive spinal cord reflex activity can contribute to the functional configuration of the spinal network. Moreover, testing spinal reflex activity in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury provided evidences for subclinical residual brain influence, suggesting the existence of axons traversing the injury site and influencing the activities below the level of lesion. Thus, there are two motor control models of chronic spinal cord injury in humans: “discomplete” and “reduced and altered volitional motor control.” We outline accomplishments in modification and initiation of altered neurocontrol in chronic spinal cord injury people with epidural and functional electrical stimulation. By nonpatterned electrical stimulation of lumbar posterior roots, it is possible to evoke bilateral extension as well as rhythmic motor outputs. Epidural stimulation during treadmill stepping shows increased and/or modified motor activity. Finally, volitional efforts can alter epidurally induced rhythmic activities in incomplete spinal cord injury. Overall, we highlight that upper motor neuron paralysis does not entail complete absence of connectivity between cortex, brain stem, and spinal motor cells, but there can be altered anatomy and corresponding neurophysiological characteristics. With specific input to the spinal cord below the level of the lesion, the clinical status of upper motor neuron paralysis without structural modification can be modified, and movements can be initiated. Thus, external afferent input can partially replace brain control.     

Studies on experimentally induced malformations of the spine and spinal cord: neuropathology of lumbosacral agenesis

The neuropathology of rats with sacral agenesis were studied. On day 8 of gestation, Donryu rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of trypan blue (40 mg/kg), and the offspring were raised. Sixty (23.1%) out of 260 offspring showed abnormalities in the lower half of the body, tail of hind limbs, and the six-week survival rate of the rats with these abnormalities was 38.3%. The grown malformed rats showed complete or incomplete lumbosacral agenesis. In these rats, the spinal level of motor paralysis corresponded to the vertebral level of malformation, and the average spinal level of sensory disturbance was 4.1 segments lower than that of motor paralysis. In the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord, the ventral horns and the ventral roots were more hypoplastic than the dorsal horns and the dorsal roots, which seemed to be the cause of the difference in the levels of motor paralysis and sensory disturbance. Rats displayed mirror movements of their hind limbs induced by a similar method, which might have resulted from dysplasia of the ventral region of the lumbar spinal cord.     

脊柱截骨术治疗创伤僵硬性胸腰段后凸畸形的解剖与临床研究

目的探讨经椎弓根椎体楔形截骨术治疗创伤僵硬性胸腰段后凸畸形的安全性和有效性。方法解剖研究中将16具新鲜胸腰段脊柱标本按不同脊柱截骨术分为3组,A组：脊柱开放-闭合截骨术,B组：经椎弓根椎体楔形截骨术,C组：改良经椎弓根椎体楔形截骨术（截骨包括上位椎间盘后半部分）。测量截骨前后Cobb角的变化、椎体高度和椎体前缘高度的变化。临床研究中共26例患者,其中男性18例,女性8例,平均36岁。受伤至本次手术时间3个月～11年,平均25个月。入院前治疗包括非手术治疗9例,手术治疗17例。神经损伤程度按照Frankel分级：A级10例,B级2例,C级10例,D级2例,E级2例。本组病例均有不同程度的腰背部疼痛,VAS评分平均4．5分（2．5～6．0分）。后凸角20°～75°,平均35°。根据后凸角大小选择行后路经椎弓根椎体楔形截骨术或改良椎体楔形截骨术。结果解剖研究胸腰段标本中A组平均纠正（38．0±2．5）°,B组（36．0±3．6）°,C组（49．0±2．0）°。A组椎体高度平均增加（13．8±1．4）mm,椎体前缘增加（30．2±2．5）mm,而B、C组椎体高度平均短缩（2．8±0．8）mm和（3．8±0．7）mm,前缘增加（25．0±1．2）mm和（2．2±0．9）mm。临床研究患者均获随访,随访时间10个月～6年,平均12．5个月,患者获得满意减压和后凸畸形矫正,术后后凸角度平均为10．8°（0°～40°）,脊柱后凸畸形平均矫正24°。50％患者的神经功能得到了不同程度恢复,全瘫患者恢复率为30％,主要是感觉功能恢复,而不全瘫患者的恢复率为64．3％,感觉和运动功能均有恢复。腰背部疼痛有不同程度好转,VAS评分平均2．3分（1．0～3．5分）。结论创伤僵硬性胸腰段后凸畸形患者可以选择经椎弓根椎体楔形截骨术或改良经椎弓根椎体楔形截骨术。术后可获得满意的减压效果和后凸畸形纠正,神经功能有不同程度恢复,腰背部疼痛有不同程度好转。     

Vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury: a retrospective study

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors of vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury. SETTING: Japan. METHODS: Urological evaluation, including cystography and urodynamic study was performed in patients in the early stage of spinal cord injury. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 13 patients with vesicoureteral reflux. Group 2 included 97 patients without vesicoureteral reflux. We compared Group 1 and Group 2 regarding bladder deformation, the level of spinal cord injury, bladder behaviour, bladder compliance, high urethral closure pressure and method of urine evacuation. RESULTS: The patients injured between Th10 and L2 showed a significantly higher incidence of vesicoureteral reflux than those injured in other areas (P<0.01). Furthermore, bladder compliance among patients with vesicoureteral reflux tended to be low. Other factors showed no differences between patients with and without vesicoureteral reflux. CONCLUSION: Injuries between Th10 and L2 involve the sympathetic nervous system. Patients with such injuries often exhibited vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury.     

脊髓急,慢性损伤CSEP的变化：（附127例报告）

１９８０年～１９９２年９月对１２７例急、慢性脊髓损伤行皮层体感诱发电位（ＣＳＥＰ）检查。急性脊髓损伤７７例，全瘫３９例，不全瘫３８例，伤后２周内做减压复位及内固定。术后１～１２个月作ＣＳＥＰ检查与术前对比，３９例全瘫中的２６例ＣＳＥＰ完全消失，瘫痪也无恢复；１３例术前有严重异常的ＣＳＥＰ，７例ＣＳＥＰ及部分皮肤感觉有恢复，余６例无变化。３８例不全瘫，术前有异常的ＣＳＥＰ，术后瘫痪及ＣＳＥＰ都有不同程度恢复。慢性脊髓损伤５０例，术前ＣＳＥＰ均有异常改变，治疗后除２例颈椎病的症状及ＣＳＥＰ无变化外，其余病例都有不同程度的恢复。作者还分析了在急、慢性脊髓损伤者检测ＣＳＥＰ中一些不可靠的原因及影响因素。     

Preoperative spinal cord arteriography in aneurysmal disease of the descending thoracicand thoracoabdominal aorta: Preliminary results in 45 patients

Between 1985 and 1988 45 patients with descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms underwent selective arteriography of the intercostal and lumbar arteries to delineate preoperatively the artery of Adamkiewicz and the thoracic radicular artery. Identification of these vessels failed in five patients (11%), was considered complete in 31 patients (69%) and incomplete in nine (20%). Selective arteriography classified these patients into four groups: groups A and B--the artery of Adamkiewicz arose respectively above and below the zone of operation; group C--the artery arose directly from the segment to be operated; and group D--origin could not be determined. All 30 patients in group C underwent a spinal cord revascularization procedure (complete in 20 cases, incomplete in 10). Spinal cord complications occurred in 9/45 patients (20%). No spinal cord complications occurred in groups A and B; their incidence was 5% in group C when revascularization was complete, and 50% when revascularization was incomplete; and 60% had complications in group D (p less than 0.01). Spinal cord complications were more frequent (p less than 0.05) when the artery of Adamkiewicz arose from an intercostal or lumbar artery obliterated at its aortic origin but filled through collaterals or when spinal cord circulation was interrupted for more than 45 minutes. This study confirms the importance of preserving arterial supply to the spinal cord during repair of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms. The information obtained from spinal cord arteriography allows the prediction of complications and informs the choice of the appropriate surgical technique.     

Somatosensory-evoked and dermatomal-evoked potentials are not clinically useful in the prognostication of acute spinal cord injury

This study examined the ability of somatosensory-evoked and dermatomal-evoked potentials to predict motor return after acute spinal cord injury. Fifty-seven of 102 patients who were studied with somatosensory-evoked potentials and dermatomal-evoked potentials were followed for more than 1 year, and their initial electrophysiologic studies were correlated with motor improvement. No patient with a complete spinal cord injury on initial physical evaluation ever developed motor return. An initial examination demonstrating incomplete spinal cord injury heralded a result of walking or better in 56.4% of incomplete patients with spinal cord injury. Both the initial physical examination and evoked potentials were reasonable predictors of further motor improvement. However, evoked potentials added little or no useful prognostic information to the initial physical examination in either complete or incomplete spinal cord injury patient groups.     

Management of cervical spinal cord trauma in Southern California.

Acute cervical spinal cord injuries were reviewed in 356 patients treated by the neurosurgical community in Southern California. Neurological recovery was compared in operated and nonoperated patients with complete and incomplete cervical myelopathies. The complications of nonsurgical and surgical therapy are identified. No neurological improvement was noted in any patient with a complete lesion who underwent early surgical decompression. In those with incomplete sensorimotor paralysis, it was difficult to document any effect of surgical decompression on neurological recovery. Patients with some degree of sensory preservation had a similar incidence of motor recovery in both surgical and nonsurgical groups. With complete sensorimotor paralysis, anterior cervical fusion within the first week of injury was associated with increased pulmonary morbidity.     

脊髓损伤患者下尿路功能障碍的尿动力学检查

目的提高对神经源性下尿路功能障碍患者的诊断水平,并为针对性选择康复手段提供可靠依据. 方法对220例不同损伤平面和程度的脊髓损伤患者进行尿动力学检查,其中100例患者常规测定膀胱压力容积和尿道压力图,另120例患者采用膀胱-外括约肌压同步连续测定法分别记录膀胱容量为100 ml时的逼尿肌压、反射排尿时的最大逼尿肌压、最大尿道压,并对所得结果进行统计学分析. 结果除圆锥马尾损伤组的最大尿道压(83±38)cm H2O(1 cm H2O=0.098 kPa)和动态逼尿肌压(12±10)cm H2O低于其他各组,其差异有显著意义(t＝2.096～2.656,P<0.05)外,不同损伤组患者膀胱顺应性降低的发生率相似(分别为51.2%,52.4%和50%);同组不同损伤程度患者间各项参数比较差异无显著意义(t＝1.023,P>0.05).120例患者根据膀胱-外括约肌压同步连续测定法记录尿道压曲线发现,其曲线形状大致可分为4型. 结论除圆锥马尾损伤组的最大尿道压和动态逼尿肌压低于其他各组外,其他参数与损伤平面和损伤程度无关.圆锥马尾损伤组多为不完全性损伤,故而逼尿肌括约肌协同失调的发生率较低.尿道压力曲线的表现与外括约肌和尿道周围横纹肌活动有关.     

Posttraumatic syringomyelia: predisposing factors

Posttraumatic spinal cord cavitation (syrinx) and progressive myelopathy associated with a posttraumatic syrinx (PTS) have been recognized for many years. Predisposing factors for PTS have not been well defined. All symptomatic PTS patients (n = 58) treated at the University of Toronto neurosurgical units over 30 years were analysed retrospectively to discover risk factors for the development of PTS. There were 46 males and 12 females (mean age 42.2 years); 28 patients had cervical (CSCI), and 30 had thoracic and lumbar spinal cord injuries (TSCI). Neurological deficit was complete in 40 (69%) compared with 43% complete injuries in the concurrent spinal and injury (SCI) population in general (p = 0.0003). Onset of PTS was earlier with: increasing age (p < 0.02), cervical and thoracic levels of injury (p < 0.007 and p < 0.02, respectively, compared with lumbar injuries), dislocated fractures (p < 0.003) and spinal surgery (p < 0.001) and, marginally, with complete SCI (p = 0.06). Mean time to onset of PTS appears to have decreased in recent years (p < 0.0001). PTS follows complete spinal cord injury (SCI) more often than incomplete and is frequently associated with arachnoiditis. Onset is earlier with increasing age, cervical and thoracic levels compared with lumbar, displaced fractures and spinal instrumentation without decompression. A group of SCI patients who are at greater risk of developing early PTS is thus identified, facilitating cost-effective follow-up.     

Recovery of pelvic limb function in dogs following acute intervertebral disc herniations

Chondrodystrophoid breeds of dog are prone to explosive herniation of mineralized disc material into the thoracolumbar spinal canal. The resulting acute spinal cord injury may represent an excellent spontaneous model of acute traumatic spinal cord injury. The aims of this study were to quantify the recovery of dogs following acute disc herniations, to evaluate external factors that influence recovery, and to identify a group of dogs suitable for use in clinical trials on neuroprotective drugs. The gait of 88 dogs with thoracolumbar disc herniations was scored at the time of injury and 2, 4, and 12 weeks after surgical decompression. Dogs were placed into four groups dependent on the severity of presenting signs; dogs in group 1 had the most severe injury severity. Group 1 dogs showed a variable but incomplete recovery by 12 weeks. Dogs in groups 2 and 3 recovered uniformly but more completely, while dogs in group 4 made a rapid and excellent recovery and were deemed unsuitable for clinical trials. Combining dogs in groups 1, 2 and 3 produced a population of dogs with incomplete recovery by 12 weeks. Power analysis revealed that 87 such dogs would be needed per treatment group to detect a 20% change in function with a power of 95%. The number needed reduced drastically to 19 by eliminating dogs in group 1, but this produced less room for functional improvement. External factors did not appear to influence outcome. We conclude that dogs with spontaneous disc herniations provide a useful model of acute spinal cord injury for clinical trials.     

外伤性脊髓损伤患者的骨质疏松

为探讨脊髓损伤后骨质疏松的发生规律和特点,对83名外伤性脊髓损伤患者腰椎及髋部骨质疏松程度作放射学观察,井与正常对照者进行比较。结果:脊髓损伤患者的腰椎及髋部骨密度均较正常对照组有明显减低(P<0.01),但完全性瘫痪患者与不完全性瘫痪患者无显著统计学差异(P>0.05),骨密度参数与病程长短亦无显著统计学差异(P>0.05)。认为:脊髓损伤性骨质疏松与传统意义上的废用性骨质疏松有所不同,其发病机理及影响因素较为复杂,尚有待进一步研究。     

Gunshot injury of the spinal cord

108 pigs were shot at the level of lumbar 1 to investigate the changes of spinal cord in relation to the speed of shooting and the trajectory through which the bullet passed. The cord lesions of the specimens could be divided, according to its severity, into 4 grades: (1) transection in 41; (2) complete destruction in 43; both lesion 1&2 resulted in permanent paraplegia; (3) incomplete destruction in 13, those resulted in incomplete paraplegia eventually recovered; (4) mild damage, that was concussion in 11, resumed perfectly. Through a transducer sealed into the spinal canal, the intracanal pressure was recorded: (1) Shooting through spinal canal with a pressure over 5 kg caused cord transection. (2) shooting through canal wall with a pressure of 2.5 to 5; 0 kg caused complete cord destruction. (3) shooting nearby the outer margin of vertebra with a pressure less than 1.0 kg caused mild cord damage. It was found that the speed of bullet, the trajectory with relation to cord and the grade of cord lesion are in agreement with each other. The mutual effects among them would make one think it reasonable to classify cord injury as follows: 1. Injury from bullet through spinal canal or vertebral body usually causes cord transaction; 2. Injury from bullet through canal wall at high speed would make a chance of complete destruction in 94%; at low speed, a chance of either complete or incomplete lesion in 50% each. 3. Injury nearby vertebra, high speed bullet would cause a chance of complete cord lesion in 86%; low speed one would make a chance of incomplete lesion in 1/3 and mild lesion in 2/3.     

自血光量子疗法治疗实验性脊髓损伤的脊髓诱发电位评价

本实验对６Ｏ只家兔造成轻瘫，重瘫，全瘫三种实验模型，就不同程度损伤及自血先量子治疗后的脊髓诱发电位进行检测，借此对自血先量子疗法之疗效作一评价。结果表明：轻瘫、重瘫治疗组脊时诱发电位恢复率高于各自对照组，且轻瘫组疗效高于重瘫组。提示自血光量于疗法有利于脊髓功能的恢复。     

胸腰椎骨折脱位伴截瘫治疗回顾

作者对４３例胸腰椎骨折脱位伴截瘫进行了治疗回顾。其中全瘫１５例，不全瘫２８例。治疗总好转率，全瘫为２６．７％，不全瘫为７１．４％。并对脊柱节段与脊髓神经根的关系、脊髓损伤性质的判定、复位和内固定以及脊髓的减压途径等进行了讨论。     

Axonal Sprouting Following Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: An Experimental Model

Abstract

Recovery of function following incomplete spinal cord injury may in part result from growth of new connections by spared descending pathways. It has been difficult to demonstrate such anatomical reorganization with traditional anatomic techniques. This study utilizes an immunocytochemical method to demonstrate axonal growth cones within the lumbar spinal cord in rats recovering from an incomplete midthoracic spinal cord injury. Adult rats underwent subtotal section of the midthoracic cord sparing the left lateral funiculus and a portion of the left ventral funiculus. Light microscope immunocytochemistry was performed on sections of lumbar spinal cord with antibodies to identify sprouting axons. These antibodies were used to determine the distribution of growth cones on both sides of the lumbar spinal cord in experimental and control animals. Growth cones were first observed three days after the spinal cord lesion. Specific labeling, similar in appearance to previous reports of growth cone identification, was apparent within the intermediate gray and ventral horns on both sides of the cord. These data support the hypothesis of collateral sprouting distal to the lesion site following incomplete spinal cord injury. It further supports the idea that recovery of function following incomplete spinal cord injury is, in part, mediated by spared descending pathways. (J Spinal Cord Med 1997; 20:200-206)