Periodical, neurological-functional assessment for cervical cord injury

The residual, reversible potentials of neurological-functional recovery in patients paralysed due to a cervical cord injury were periodically checked according to the various assessment methods from the initial period of 72 hours after injury to the final follow-up of 7 years. In our series, the data on the neurological changes were a little different from those reported in the literature. In the complete paralysis group, only 2 of the 30 patients showed slight functional recovery of less than 1 grade in the Frankel classification with descent of the cord lesion level. Twenty three patients showed descent of a half to one segment from the initial cord lesion level. The remaining 5 patients deteriorated because of ascent of a half to two segments from the initial cord lesion level. All patients with complete paralysis remained essentially unchanged. In the incomplete group, 58 of the 70 patients had significant recovery of more than 1 grade in the Frankel classification. The grade of neurological recovery was different in each patient. Patients with a central cord lesion showed remarkably better recovery of the cord function than those with other types of cord lesions. Nineteen of the 49 patients with a central cord lesion regained independent walking ability with or without aid. Neurological recovery in the incomplete paralysis group might be expected until approximately 6 months after injury. The early appearance of signs of recovery was an indication of better results. There was no difference in the neurological recovery between patients who had been realigned surgically and those who have been realigned non-surgically. Our neurological-functional assessment method reflecting the sectional and logitudinal cord level function and expressing more detailed information was demonstrated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess residual cord function. The area of abnormal signal intensity almost corresponded to the cord level diagnosed neurologically.     

Rehabilitation of incomplete spinal cord pathology: Factors affecting prognosis and outcome

To determine the factors affecting the outcome of patients with incomplete spinal cord lesions, a retrospective study was performed of all such patients (n = 49) admitted to the neurorehabilitation unit of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, over a 2-year period. Disability on admission and discharge as measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), change in disability, presence or absence of neurological recovery, patient age, level of the lesion and length of inpatient stay were the main outcome measures. Data were complete on 39 patients. There were 20 patients with cervical myelopathy, 15 with intrinsic cord abnormalities including syrinxes, 7 with spinal cord infarcts and 7 with other conditions such as tropical spastic paraparesis and hereditary paraparesis. Age ranged from 17 to 88 years (mean 53). Mean duration of stay was 40 days and the duration was related to the diagnosis. Nineteen of the patients made some neurological improvement, while all but one improved on the FIM. This functional gain did not correlate with the patients' age, initial disability or level of the lesion, but was related to the length of stay in the unit, and neurological improvement. We conclude that the needs of patients with progressive incomplete spinal cord lesions due to neurological disease differ from those of patients with acute traumatic spinal cord lesions and are best managed in a neurological rehabilitation unit. Efficacy appears to be related to neurological recovery and the duration of rehabilitation. This study underlines the value of combined neurological and rehabilitation. expertise in the management of this patient group and the need to incorporate both disciplines in planning service provision.     

Intradural extramedullary tumor of lower spinal cord in a 89-year-old man with cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis

A 89-year-old man was admitted because of slowly progressive gait disturbance during these several years. Neurological examination revealed paraparesis with bilateral sensory disturbance in the lower extremities, more severely on the left side. Vibration sense was almost completely disturbed under the level of bilateral crista iliaca. Deep tendon reflexes decreased in the lower extremities. No urinary incontinence was observed. The narrow spinal canal and cervical spondylosis were seen at the C 5-6 level, showing the anterior-posterior distance of 10 mm. Computed tomography of the lumbar spine showed spondylolisthesis between the level 4 and 5. CSF showed high protein concentration (300 mg/dl), whereas normal cell counts. These findings suggested the following two possibilities; cervical myelopathy associated with the disturbance of the cauda equina due to lumbar spondylolisthesis, or the disturbance at the lower thoracic or upper lumbar level of spinal cord. The spinal MRI revealed the irregular mass lesion in the lower spinal cord at the level of spine Th 11-12 on T2 weighted images, with enhancement by Gd-DTPA on T1 weighted images. These MRI findings suggested the intradural extramedullary tumor, such as benign neurinoma or meningioma. No clear cut lesions were found at the cervical spinal cord or at the cauda equina. MRI was useful for the diagnosis of sites and lesions of spinal cord in the present case, whose neurological signs and symptoms could be explained by the coexistent cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis.     

The spinal cord in lightning injury: a report of two cases

We present 2 patients in whom the predominant neurological complication following lightning strike was spinal cord injury. One patient, who was followed for 5 years, showed clinical, electrophysiologic and MRI evidence of cervical spinal cord injury. This patient had significant recovery, which in part, may be related to early and intense rehabilitation. The second patient presented with the symptoms and signs of spinal shock which then evolved into a myelopathy. Follow-up several months later showed almost complete resolution of symptoms. These patients demonstrate that the prognosis of spinal cord injury complicating a lightning strike may not be uniformly poor.     

Incidence, management, and outcome of post-traumatic syringomyelia. In memory of Mr Bernard Williams.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the incidence of clinically diagnosable post-traumatic syringomyelia (PTS). METHODS--A population of 815 consecutive patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries was studied between January 1990 and December 1992. RESULTS--Reviews of all records, full clinical evaluation, and thorough neurological examination of all patients disclosed 28 patients in whom PTS was confirmed radiologically (3.43%). The incidence of the presenting symptoms, including bladder dysfunction, is described. The level and density of cord lesion was correlated with incidence and it was found that posttraumatic syringomyelia was twice as common in patients with complete injuries than in patients with incomplete injuries. The highest incidence was found in patients with complete dorsal and complete dorsolumbar injuries. The interval between injury and diagnosis ranged from six months to 34 years (mean 8.6 years). This interval was shortest in patients with complete dorsal and incomplete cervical and dorsolumbar cord injuries. CONCLUSIONS--Reduction of the size of the syrinx seen on postoperative MRI correlated well with a satisfactory clinical outcome in 85% of patients.     

Neurological deterioration after laminectomy for spondylotic cervical myeloradiculopathy: the putative role of spinal cord ischaemia.

Most cases of neurological deterioration after laminectomy for cervical radiculomyelopathy occur several weeks to months postoperatively, except when there has been direct trauma to the spinal cord or nerve roots during surgery. Four patients are described who developed episodes of neurological deterioration during the postoperative recovery period that could not be attributed to direct intraoperative trauma nor to epidural haematoma or instability of the cervical spine as a consequence of laminectomy. Following laminectomy for cervical radiculomyelopathy four patients were unchanged neurologically from their pre-operative examinations, but as they were raised into the upright position for the first time following surgery focal neurological deficits referrable to the spinal cord developed. Hypotension was present in all four cases during these episodes and three of the four patients had residual central cervical cord syndromes. These cases represent the first reported instances of spinal cord ischaemia occurring with post-operative hypotensive episodes after decompression for cervical spondylosis.     

Cystic cord lesions and neurological deterioration in spinal cord injury: operative considerations based on magnetic resonance imaging.

In a retrospective review of 94 consecutive patients with past spinal cord injury referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of new neurological symptoms, 59% were found to have cystic spinal cord lesions. Twelve of these patients underwent surgical cyst drainage, half having presented with increased myelopathy, and half with ascent of the neurological level. All of the operated cysts were greater than 2 cm in diameter (mean 15.8 cm), and 4 had areas of signal void indicating turbulent flow. All 12 patients had clinical improvement following surgery. The future prospective use of MRI in patients with longstanding spinal cord injury may prove valuable in the identification of patients with syrinx formation, at risk of developing neurological deterioration, who may benefit from early cyst drainage. At present, however, the decision to operate on these patients should be based primarily on clinical criteria.     

Spinal injuries due to hockey

Although many types of sports and recreational activities have been identified as common causes of acute spinal cord injury, hockey has been a rare cause of acute cord injury in Canada or elsewhere. For example, from 1948 to 1973 there were no patients with cord injuries due to hockey in a series of 55 patients with acute cord injuries due to sports or other recreational activities admitted to two Toronto hospitals. In contrast, between 1974 and 1981, the Acute Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Sunnybrook Medical Centre treated six patients with cervical spinal injury due to hockey, five of whom were seen during a 13 month period from September, 1980 to October, 1981. Five of the six sustained a severe acute cervical spinal cord injury, and one a cervical root injury. The cord injury was complete in two cases, while three had complete motor loss but incomplete sensory loss below the level of the lesion. All were males aged 15 to 26 years. Of the players with cord injury, four struck the boards with the neck flexed, and one struck another player with the neck flexed. The one player without cord injury struck the boards with his neck extended. The commonest bony injury was a burst fracture of C5 or C6. One of the patients with a complete cord injury died three months later of a pulmonary embolus, and the other patients with cord injury showed some recovery of root function, but little or no cord recovery. The reasons for the increase in spinal injuries in hockey are unknown.     

Fractures of the thoraco-lumbar spine

A personal prospective study of 98 consecutive patients presenting with neurological impairment and fractures or dislocations between the 9th thoracic and 2nd lumbar vertebrae bodies. Fifty-three patients underwent Harrington instrumentation, and 45 patients were treated recumbently. Neurological improvement was much better following Harrington rods in the complete paraplegia group but there was no difference in neurological recovery between the two groups in those with incomplete paraplegia. Forty-two patients who had been stabilised with Harrington rods underwent post-operative myelography or tomography to assess the adequacy of spinal decompression. The best results were in patients with adequate neural canal decompression. In 21 cases decompression had not been adequate, usually due to a stereotyped pattern in which the postero-superior aspect of the fractured body remained in the neural canal. All 21 underwent anterior decompression at an average of five months post injury. All the incomplete anterior decompression at an average of five months post injury. All the incomplete paraplegics (nine patients) regained the ability to walk, three of the 12 complete paraplegics improved and regained the ability to walk with bilateral ankle-foot orthoses. Neurological improvement was dependent upon the adequacy of spinal cord decompression and not upon Harrington rods. per se. Harrington rods alone were not adequate to decompress the spinal canal in 50 per cent of cases. The best results after anterior decompression occurred where neural compression was caused by a minimally displaced wedge fracture distal to T12.     

Blood flow and vascular permeability during motor dysfunction in a rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delayed deterioration of neurological function after central nervous system ischemia is a well-documented clinical problem. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the role of spinal cord blood flow and spinal cord-blood barrier integrity in the evolution of delayed neurological deterioration after transient spinal cord ischemia in rabbits. METHODS: Anesthetized rabbits were subjected to lumbar spinal cord ischemia (25 minutes) and variable periods of reperfusion (30 minutes to 48 hours after ischemia). Regional spinal cord blood flow was monitored by carbon-14-labeled iodoantipyrine autoradiography; vascular permeability was assessed by quantitative microhistofluorescence of Evans blue-albumin in frozen sections of spinal cord. Hindlimb motor function was assessed by standard scoring system and tissue edema by wet/dry weight method. RESULTS: Hindlimb motor function indicated complete paralysis during ischemia and partial gradual recovery upon reperfusion (up to 8 hours), followed by progressive deterioration to severe deficits over 48 hours. Severe vascular permeability disruption was noticed early (30 minutes) after reperfusion, but almost complete recovery reestablished at 8 hours was followed by a secondary progressive increase in vascular permeability. Blood flow was reduced by 20-30% (p less than 0.01) 4 hours after ischemia in the gray matter, but hyperemia (200-300%, p less than 0.01) was observed 12-24 hours after ischemia. Spinal cord water content increased by 5.7% (p less than 0.05) 24 hours after ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that delayed neurological and motor deterioration after spinal cord ischemia is associated with severe progressive breakdown of spinal cord-blood barrier integrity that develops late (hours) after the injury. Our data suggest that no ischemic insult in early or late reperfusion is associated with delayed motor deterioration.     

Flexion myelopathy due to tic of neck

A 22-year-old male developed a tic of neck-flexion at the age of 14. The tic occurred 40 to 50 times per minute on its peak at age 16. Since then he noticed the atrophy and weakness of his both upper limbs. His right leg became weak at age 22. On admission, neurological examination revealed tic of lip and neck, severe muscle atrophy and weakness of bilateral upper limbs, mild muscle weakness and spasticity of right lower limb and hyperreflexia in four limbs. Needle EMG studies revealed fibrillation, positive sharp wave and giant MUP in the biceps, triceps and first interossei muscles. There were no abnormal findings suggesting cervical spondylosis or disc herniation on neck roentgenogram and neck MRI in neutral position. Neck MRI in the ventro-flexed position showed a flattening of the lower cervical cord and a band-like isointensity lesion in the posterior epidural space at C4-6. This isointensity lesion was considered to represent a congestion of the internal vertebral venous plexus. These findings suggest that frequent neck flexion by itself causes the injury of the lower cervical cord through (1) over-stretching of the cord, (2) compression of the cord by dural sac, (3) arterior ischemia, and/or (4) stagnant hypoxia due to venous congestion. Flexion myelopathy may represent one of the most important mechanisms of cervical cord injury accompanied with involuntary movement of neck.     

Definition of complete spinal cord injury.

Prospective serial neurological examinations were performed on 445 consecutive traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients admitted for rehabilitation on an average of 22.8 +/- 15.6 days after injury. Patients were categorized by both the ASIA and Sacral Sparing (SS) definitions of complete SCI, in order to compare the definitions in terms of consistency and prognostic ability. Recovery during follow-up was determined by sensory scores for light touch, sharp/dull discrimination, proprioception, and the ASIA Motor Index Score. Change in complete status was unidirectional using the SS definition and bidirectional using the ASIA definition. Twelve patients with SS complete injuries on initial examination converted to SS incomplete injuries at follow-up. No patients converted from SS incomplete to SS complete injury. Twenty three patients with ASIA complete injuries upon admission converted to ASIA incomplete status and 6 converted from ASIA incomplete status on admission to ASIA complete status at follow-up. For quadriplegics, the average motor recovery for patients changing complete status according to the ASIA definition was 11.7 +/- 10.3, which was significantly less (p less than .05) than the average recovery using the SS definition (group 1), 17.9 +/- 9.3. For paraplegics, the average motor recovery using the ASIA definition, 8.3 +/- 6.7, did not differ significantly from the value using the SS definition, 6.8 +/- 4.0.     

Surgery for acute subaxial traumatic central cord syndrome without fracture or dislocation.

Twenty-two patients with subaxial acute traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) without fracture or dislocation who underwent surgery between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed, retrospectively. There were 13 males and nine females ranging in age from 24 to 84 years (mean 61.2). Falls were the most common injury (68%), followed by motor vehicle accidents (32%). All patients had dynamic cervical lateral radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cord compression was present in all cases and cervical instability in 11. Associated pathology included disc herniation in seven patients, cervical spondylosis (CS) in 11 and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in four. Anterior decompression and fusion was performed in 12 patients with 1- or 2-level lesions. Posterior decompression and fusion was performed for multilevel lesions in 11 patients, including one patient who required re-operation. The interval between injury and surgery ranged from 1 to 37 days (mean 8.0). Postoperatively, all patients improved clinically. We conclude that surgical management of subaxial acute traumatic CCS without fracture or dislocation improved neurological status and prevented delayed neurological deterioration in our patients.     

Spinal cord sarcoidosis

Three patients with spinal cord involvement by sarcoid are described and the literature is reviewed. Fifteen patients with histologically verified sarcoidosis involving the spinal cord presented with progressive myelopathy due to tumor. Myelography variously showed an extramedullary intradural mass; an intramedullary mass; a thinned, atrophic cord; or normal configuration. Although laminectomy and biopsy are often required to establish the diagnosis, treatment is medical, using corticosteroid drugs. Treatment seldom leads to complete recovery, but neurological deficits may stabilize or improve.     

Post-surgical ischaemic myelopathy

Ischaemic myelopathy is an infrequent but well-known cause of spinal cord injury. While the overall incidence of neurological injury following thoraco-abdominal aortic surgery is low (1-14%), procedures requiring surgical cross-clamping of the aorta have been reported as the major cause of ischaemic cord injury (31%). Little has been reported regarding the clinical and functional outcomes of these injuries. Three patients with a non-penetrating aortic injury who showed evidence of ischaemic cord injury within 72 hours of surgical cross-clamping of the aorta are presented. Data includes functional assessments, muscle strength testing and electromyographic findings. All three patients showed lower thoracic incomplete motor and sensory spinal cord injuries. These findings suggest that, after a period of neurological improvement, a plateau phase is reached at approximately 3 months post injury after which no significant gain in muscle strength is made. All patients were functionally independent and able to ambulate using a straight cane.     

Infectious myelopathies: clinical, serological, and prognostic patterns

INTRODUCTION: Serological confirmation of an infectious acute myelitis injury is difficult to confirm as it is sometimes due to a post-infectious etiology. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the clinical, biological and prognostic patterns of infectious myelitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 153 subjects hospitalized in the department of neurology between 1993 and 2002 for treatment of a noncompressive acute myelopathy. Biological confirmation of recent infection was obtained in 12 patients (8 p. 100). RESULTS: An infectious syndrome, beginning prior to the neurological symptoms, was found in 67 percent of patients. The clinical symptoms were severe with loss of sensoromotor and sphincter functions and ascending spinal cord dysfunction (acute transverse myelopathy). Spinal cord MRI showed extended centromedullar high intensity signals with rapid and complete regression. CSF analysis cell count was above 30/mm3 with hyperproteinorachia, in 75 percent and 58 percent of patients respectively. CSF electrophoresis did not detect oligoclonal bands. Clinical outcome was good in all patients except one, however sphincter disorders recovered slowly. DISCUSSION: Our study illustrates a stereotypical clinical, biological and prognostic pattern for infectious acute myelitis. These findings contribute significantly to therapeutic decision making and establishing prognosis at the initial phase of acute myelopathy.     

Risk factors of neurological lesions in low cervical spine fractures and dislocations

Eighty-nine patients with lower cervical spine fractures or dislocations were evaluated for risk factors of neurological lesion. The age, sex, level and pattern of fracture and sagittal diameter of the spinal canal were analysed. There were no significant differences on the age, gender, level and Torg's ratio between intact patients and those with nerve root injury, incomplete or complete spinal cord injuries. Bilateral facet dislocations and burst fractures are a significant risk factor of spinal cord injury.     

前路显微外科手术治疗多节段颈椎病

目的探讨单一或多个椎体广泛切除,显微外科手术减压,颈椎植骨融合,钛钢板颈椎固定手术治疗多节段颈椎病的疗效.方法根据临床表现及神经影像学资料选择24例脊髓型颈椎病患者,采用Caspar颈椎手术器械及新型植骨融合固定技术实施手术,于显微镜下切除病变的颈椎椎间盘、椎体和后纵韧带,高速气动磨钻磨除患椎骨赘,以自体髂骨或骨水泥行植骨融合、钛钢板固定.结果根据Nurick神经功能评价标准,术后92%(22例)的患者神经功能不同程度改善,8%(2例)的患者症状无改变,无一例症状加重.结论应用颈椎前入路显微外科手术治疗来自颈脊髓前方压迫的多节段颈椎病患者(包括症状严重者),减压彻底,固定稳定,安全可行,多数患者疗效满意.     

Missile injuries of the spine

Between 1995 and 2000, 22 cases with low velocity missile injuries of the spine and spinal cord were treated in three service hospitals. All were adult males, with a mean age of 30.7 years. The wounds were caused by splinters in 18 (82%) and bullets in 4 (18%). Twelve patients received more than one splinter. The cervical and thoracic spines were most frequently involved. In 7 cases, there were injuries to other organs. There was extensive initial deficit (quadriplegia, paraplegia) in 18 (82%) cases, while 4 (18%) had partial deficits. The patients were evaluated by spine radiographs. Myelography was done in 4, CT myelography in 11 and MRI in 4 patients. Two patients had intramedullary hematoma without any skeletal injury, and were treated conservatively. Seventeen patients were treated operatively, and associated injuries of other organs received priority management. Surgery was in the form of debridement, exploration of the spinal cord, hemostasis, decompression and dural repair. Steroids and antibiotics were given routinely. Three patients (2 with cervical and 1 with thoracic spine injury) died preoperatively, and 1 (with dorsolumbar injury) died in the postoperative period due to multi-organ injury. Patients with complete injury remained completely paralyzed, while those with an incomplete injury showed improvement in their neurological grades. The initial neurological grade is the best prognostic indicator, and these injuries are often accompanied by multi-organ injuries. There was no instance of postoperative meningitis or CSF leak. These injuries should be explored for debridement and dural repair.     

Organisation of the sympathetic skin response in spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVES: The sympathetic skin response (SSR) is a technique to assess the sympathetic cholinergic pathways, and it can be used to study the central sympathetic pathways in spinal cord injury (SCI). This study investigated the capacity of the isolated spinal cord to generate an SSR, and determined the relation between SSR, levels of spinal cord lesion, and supraspinal connections. METHODS: Palmar and plantar SSR to peripheral nerve electrical stimulation (median or supraorbital nerve above the lesion, and peroneal nerve below the lesion) were recorded in 29 patients with SCI at various neurological levels and in 10 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: In complete SCI at any neurological level, SSR was absent below the lesion. Palmar SSR to median nerve stimuli was absent in complete SCI with level of lesion above T6. Plantar SSR was absent in all patients with complete SCI at the cervical and thoracic level. In incomplete SCI, the occurrence of SSR was dependent on the preservation of supraspinal connections. For all stimulated nerves, there was no difference between recording from ipsilateral and contralateral limbs. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that the spinal cord isolated from the brain stem could generate an SSR. The results indicate that supraspinal connections are necessary for the SSR, together with integrity of central sympathetic pathways of the upper thoracic segments for palmar SSR, and possibly all thoracic segments for plantar SSR.