Hemodynamic and Catecholamine Responses to Laryngoscopy and Tracheal Intubation in Patients with Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

Background: Endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing general anesthesia often causes hypertension and tachycardia, which may be altered when the efferent sympathetic fiber to the cardiovascular system is interrupted. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of different levels of spinal cord injury on the cardiovascular responses to intubation.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with traumatic complete cord injuries requiring tracheal intubation were grouped into quadriplegics (above C7; n = 22), high paraplegics (T1-T4, n = 8), and low paraplegics (below T5, n = 24) according to the level of injury. Twenty patients without spinal injury served as controls. Arterial pressure, heart rate, and rhythm were recorded at intervals for up to 5 min after intubation. Plasma concentrations of catecholamines were also measured.

Results: The intubation increased the systolic blood pressure similarly in control, high-paraplegic, and low-paraplegic groups (P < 0.05), whereas it did not alter the blood pressure in the quadriplegic group. Heart rate was significantly increased in all groups; however, the magnitude was more pronounced in the high-paraplegic group (67%) than in the control (38%) and quadriplegic (33%) groups. Plasma concentrations of norepinephrine were significantly increased after intubation in all groups; however, values were lower in the quadriplegic group and higher in the low-paraplegic group compared with those in the control group. Incidence of arrhythmias did not differ among groups.     

Cardiovascular responses to endotracheal intubation in patients with acute and chronic spinal cord injuries

Endotracheal intubation usually causes transient hypertension and tachycardia. We investigated whether the cardiovascular responses to intubation change as a function of the time elapsed in patients with spinal cord injury. One-hundred-six patients with traumatic complete spinal cord injury were grouped into acute and chronic groups according to the time elapsed (less than and more than 4 wk after injury) and into those with quadriplegia and paraplegia according to the level of injury (above C7 and below T5): acute quadriplegia, n = 26; chronic quadriplegia, n = 27; acute paraplegia, n = 24; and chronic paraplegia, n = 29. Twenty-five patients with no spinal cord injury served as controls. Systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), heart rate, and plasma concentrations of catecholamines were measured. The intubation did not affect SAP in either the acute or chronic quadriplegics, but it significantly increased SAP in both acute and chronic paraplegics. Heart rate was significantly increased in all groups; however, the magnitude of change was less in acute quadriplegics than in the other groups. Plasma concentrations of norepinephrine increased in every group but the acute quadriplegics. The magnitude of increase was attenuated in chronic quadriplegics, accentuated in acute paraplegics, and similar in chronic paraplegics when compared with controls. The incidence of arrhythmias did not differ among groups. We conclude that the cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to endotracheal intubation may change as a function of the time elapsed and the level of spinal cord injury. IMPLICATIONS: Cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to endotracheal intubation may differ according to the time elapsed and the level of injury in patients with complete spinal cord injury.     

The effect of frequency and mode of sports activity on the psychological status in tetraplegics and paraplegics

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the psychological benefits of sports activity differ between tetraplegics and paraplegics with spinal cord injury, and investigate the effect of frequency and modes of sports activity on the psychological benefits. METHODS: The Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Profiles of Mood States (POMS) were administered to 169 male individuals with spinal cord injury (mean age=42.7 years) including 53 tetraplegics and 116 paraplegics. The subjects were divided into four groups according to their frequencies of sports activity; High-active (more than three times a week; n=32), Middle-active (once or twice a week, n=41), Low-active (once to three times a month, n=32), and Inactive (no sports participation, n=64). RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in depression for SDS, trait anxiety for STAI and depression and vigor for POMS among the groups. High-active group showed the lowest scores of depression and trait anxiety and the highest score of vigor among the four groups. In contrast, no significant difference was found for any psychological measurements between tetraplegics and paraplegics. In addition, there was no significant difference for any psychological measurements among modes (wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing, wheelchair tennis and minor modes). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that sports activity can improve the psychological status, irrespective of tetraplegics and paraplegics, and that the psychological benefits are emphasized by sports activity at high frequency.     

The safety of awake tracheal intubation in cervical spine injury

As a referral centre for cervical spine injuries, we have routinely performed awake tracheal intubation when intubation was indicated. A retrospective case control study was undertaken to review the frequency of neurological deterioration and aspiration associated with our approach. Neurological deterioration was assessed by a change in level of injury or neurological grade at admission and discharge. Four hundred and fifty-four patients with critical cervical spine and/or cord injuries were reviewed over an eight-year period. A case group of 165 patients underwent tracheal intubation awake within two months of injury. A control group of 289 remained unintubated during the same period. A comparison of spinal neurological status between admission and discharge revealed no statistically significant difference in neurological deterioration between the two groups. This occurred despite a greater injury severity score in the case group. No evidence of aspiration during intubation was documented. We conclude that awake tracheal intubation is a safe method of airway management in patients with cervical spine injuries.     

Pressure sores with associated spasticity: a clinical challenge

Paraplegic and quadriplegic patients particularly those suffering from spinal cord injuries are at a high risk of developing pressure ulcerations. Unlike pressure ulcers in geriatric patients, which usually can be controlled with pressure relieving devices and local wound care, pressure ulceration complicating spinal cord injuries should be viewed from another perspective. Clinical management is also more complex because of the associated spasticity. Although it is now recognised that spasticity control is critical for management of patients with cerebral or spinal cord diseases or injuries, published risk assessment studies and risk assessment pressure sore scales fail to recognise spasticity as a major risk factor. Identification of spasticity should heighten the awareness of medical and paramedical personnel and have a positive impact on prevention as well as on treatment of pressure sores in this particularly difficult group of patients. We present our experience with a young quadriplegic patient with severe spasticity presenting with a large infected ischial pressure sore. All surgical as well as conservative attempts to achieve healing failed because of our failure to recognise the importance of spasticity control in the overall treatment scheme. Spasticity control should be included as a prerequisite for any treatment protocol of such patients.     

Energy expenditure after spinal cord injury: an evaluation of stable rehabilitating patients

Caloric requirements for spinal cord patients are not well understood. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry and compared with predicted expenditure by manipulations of the Harris-Benedict (Long and Rutten), Quebbeman, and Spanier and Shizgal equations, using actual and ideal body weight: 45 measurements were made on 22 spinally injured patients, who were medically stable in their early rehabilitation phase of treatment, and included quadriplegics, paraplegics, and patients with Brown-Sequard syndrome. Other nutritional parameters were also followed. Equations based on normal patients consistently overestimated energy requirements of spinally injured patients. From the time of injury, spinally injured patients appear to have a reduction in their energy needs proportional to the amount of muscle which has been denervated. This decrease in caloric requirements continues throughout the rehabilitation and plateau phases. We have demonstrated that stable, rehabilitating spinally injured patients require 23.4 kcal/kg/day. As a group, quadriplegics required 22.7 kcal/kg/day, and paraplegics 27.9 kcal/kg/day. This represents only 45 to 90% of the recommended calories for maintenance as calculated by any of these recognized formulae, based on normal heights, weights, age, and sex, when using either current weight or ideal body weight. Spinally injured patients as a group are subjected to fluctuations in weight during treatment. Our own patients tended to become obese approximately 12 months after spinal cord injury on uncontrolled diets. All patients underwent an initial weight loss which was greater in the quadriplegics as a group, compared with paraplegics. On uncontrolled diets, our patients gained an average of 1.7 kg/wk and this was also greater in the quadriplegic group.     

脊柱后结构在胸腰段脊髓神经损伤及爆裂骨折分类中的作用

目的观察脊柱后结构在脊髓神经组织损伤中的作用,为脊髓神经损伤程度评估和预测脊髓神经功能恢复的可能性及进一步完善分类提供依据。方法实验采用高速准静态轴向加载法复制脊椎爆裂型骨折模型,检测椎管内压力变化及脊柱后结构损伤程度。对127例胸腰椎爆裂骨折合并截瘫患者的脊髓神经损伤程度及脊髓神经功能恢复情况与后结构损伤的相关性进行回顾性研究。结果实验证实后柱有损伤者椎管内压力变化峰值较小,无损伤者峰值较大。55例后结构损伤患者中伴脊髓神经损伤38例(69.09%),其中24例(63.16%)神经功能得到恢复,而72例无后结构损伤者有52例(72.22%)合并脊髓神经损伤,其中20例(38.46%)有神经功能改善。两组之间差异有显著性,提示无后结构损伤患者脊髓神经损伤和功能缺失的程度更重。结论无后结构损伤时脊髓神经损伤和功能缺失的程度明显高于有后结构损伤者,脊柱后结构的完整与否对脊髓神经损伤程度起着重要作用,可作为伤情评估、功能恢复预测和完善Denis分类的有效尺度。     

Cervical spinal stenosis and sports-related cervical cord neurapraxia in children.

STUDY DESIGN: Congenital spinal stenosis has been demonstrated to contribute to cervical cord neurapraxia after cervical spinal cord injury in adult athletes. A sagittal canal diameter <14 mm and/or a Torg ratio (sagittal diameter of the spinal canal: midcervical sagittal vertebral body diameter) of <0.8 are indicative of significant cervical spinal stenosis. Although sports-related cervical spine injuries are common in children, the role of congenital cervical stenosis in the etiology of these injuries remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The authors measured the sagittal canal diameter and the Torg ratio in children presenting with cervical cord neurapraxia resulting from sports-related cervical spinal cord injuries to determine the presence of congenital spinal stenosis. METHODS: A total of 13 children (9 male, 4 female) presented with cervical cord neurapraxia after a sports-related cervical spinal cord injury. Age ranged from 7 to 15 years (mean +/- SD, 11.5 +/- 2.7 years). The sports involved were football (n = 4), wrestling (n = 2), hockey (n = 2), and soccer, gymnastics, baseball, kickball, and pogosticking (n = 1 each). Lateral cervical spine radiographs were used to determine the sagittal canal diameter and the Torg ratio at C4. RESULTS: The sagittal canal diameter (mean +/- SD, 17.58 +/- 1.63 mm) and the Torg ratio (mean +/- SD, 1.20 +/- 0.24) were normal in all of these children. CONCLUSION: Using the sagittal canal diameter and the Torg ratio as a measurement of congenital spinal stenosis, the authors did not find evidence of congenital cervical spinal stenosis in a group of children with sports-related cervical spinal cord neurapraxia. The occurrence of cervical cord neurapraxia in pediatric patients can be attributed to the mobility of the pediatric spine rather than to congenital cervical spinal stenosis.     

Lazaroid reduces production of IL-8 and IL-1 receptor antagonist in ischemic spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND: 21-aminosteroids (lazaroids) have demonstrated the protective effect against cerebral ischemic injury through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. We examined whether lazaroids affected the production of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines in ischemic spinal cord injury model. MATERIALS: Anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits underwent a 20-minute infrarenal aortic cross-clamping (AXC) with pretreatment of either an intravenous 3 mg/kg lazaroid U74389G (group L; n = 10) or the same volume saline (group P; n = 10). Sham operation group (group S; n = 6) underwent only exposure of the aorta. Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8, -1beta, -1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured at four time points. Functional assessment with Tarlov score at 24 and 48 hours after pretreatment, pathologic assessment of the spinal cord, and measurements of cytokine levels in the spinal cord were performed. RESULTS: The maximum elevation of plasma IL-8 and -1ra levels occurred at 1 hour after declamping in four measurement points. Plasma IL-8 and -1ra levels in group L were significantly lower than those in group P (*p < 0.05). Plasma TNFalpha peaked at 5 minutes after declamping, but decreased afterwards. Plasma TNFalpha levels were not different among three groups. Spinal IL-8 levels in group L (0.98 +/- 0.34 ng/g tissue) were lower than those in group P (7.26 +/- 2.26 ng/g tissue)(*p < 0.05). Spinal IL-1ra and TNFalpha were not significantly different. Tarlov score and pathologic assessment were better in group L. CONCLUSIONS: Lazaroid U-74389G reduced the production of systemic IL-8 and -1ra and spinal IL-8 when AXC caused spinal cord injury. These results indicate that lazaroids may attenuate ischemic endothelial cell injury or activation of leukocytes.     

Cardiovascular and arousal responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in patients with complete spinal cord injury

Background: We aimed to determine whether the autonomic and arousal responsesto laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were altered in patientswith spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients with traumatic complete SCIwere grouped according to the time elapsed after the injury(<3 days and >9 months) and the level of injury (aboveT5 and below T5): acute high (AH, n=25), chronic high (CH, n=26),acute low (AL, n=20), and chronic low (CL, n=45). Twenty-fivepatients without SCI served as a control group. Bispectral index(BIS) response, systolic arterial pressure (SAP), heart rate(HR), and plasma concentrations of catecholamines and argininevasopressin were measured. Results: Both CH and CL groups showed a greater reduction in BIS valuesafter induction of anaesthesia with thiopental compared withcontrols (P<0.05). However, BIS values after intubation increasedsimilarly in all groups from the value measured just beforelaryngoscopy. SAP increased in the AL and CL and control groupsbut not in the AH and CH groups. HR increased significantlyin all groups; though to a lesser degree in the AH comparedwith the other groups. Plasma norepinephrine concentrationsincreased in all except the AH group, but vasopressin concentrationswere unchanged. Conclusions: The arousal response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubationas measured by BIS is not altered in SCI, but cardiovascularand catecholamine responses may be changed depending on timeelapsed and the level of the injury. However, an identical doseof thiopental may reduce BIS value after intubation more profoundlyin patients with chronic SCI.     

低温生理盐水与腺苷局部灌注对脊髓缺血损伤的保护作用

目的 研究低温生理盐水和腺苷对兔主动脉阻断致脊髓缺血损伤的保护作用。方法 30只成年健康新西兰白兔随机分成3组,每组10只。A组：作为缺血对照：B组,用低温生理盐水局部灌注;C组：用低温生理盐水和腺苷局部灌注。通过阻断兔贤动脉水平的腹主动脉60分钟建立兔脊髓缺血损伤模型。观察3组血流动力学指标,脊髓自由基含量、术后Tarlov评分和脊髓组织病理学改变。结果 3组心率比较均无差异,C组血压于阻断腹主动脉20分钟时下降（P＜0．05）;A组丙二醛增加,超气门物歧化酶减少,而B组和C组变化较轻;A组大部分发生截瘫,B组后肢功能部分恢复,C组后肢功能恢复良好;病理检查示A组中央灰质聚集性坏死,巨噬细胞浸润,尼氏小体消失,核仁模糊,B组和C组脊髓结构较完整。结论 低温生理盐水和腺苷局部灌注具有良好的脊髓保护作用,其方法简便。腺苷可减少三磷酸腺苷（ATP）的耗竭,促进其恢复,并具有神经保护作用。     

Timing of thoracolomber spine stabilization in trauma patients; impact on neurological outcome and clinical course. A real prospective (rct) randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE: Optimal timing of stabilization for spinal injuries is discussed controversially. The goal of this study is to investigate the neurological recovery and its influencing factors in thoracolumbar spine fractures after surgical decompression and stabilization within 8 h of spinal cord injury versus surgery which is performed between 3 and 15 days. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients undergoing thoracolumbar stabilization with neurological deficit for an acute thoracolumbar spinal injury at the level of Th8-L2 vertebra at Selcuk University between March 2004 and December 2006 were recorded. Patients with neurological deficity and medically stable for surgery underwent immediate stabilization within 8 h defined as group I (n = 12) and patients underwent operation in 3-15 days after thoracolumbar injury were defined as group II (n = 15). Patients were assessed for neurologic deficit and improvement as defined by the scoring system of American spinal injury association (ASIA). RESULTS: In spite of comparable demographic data, patients in group I had a significantly shorter overall hospital and intensive care unit stay and had lesser systemic complications such as pneumonia and also exhibited better neurological improvement than group II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early surgery may improve neurological recovery and decrease hospitalization time and also additional systemic complications in patients with thoracolomber spinal cord injuries. Thus early stabilization of thoracolumbar spine fractures within 8 h after trauma appears to be favorable.     

Assessment of the unmediated relationship between neurological impairment and health-related quality of life following spinal cord injury

Objective: To assess the unmediated association between neurological impairment and quality of life (QoL) among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), in the context of both early post-acute and long-term rehabilitation settings.Design: An observational prospective cross-sectional study.Setting: Two neurological rehabilitation centers, specializing in spinal cord injury, within a university hospital.Methods: 156 adults with spinal cord injury in the early post-acute and chronic stages of rehabilitation.Outcome Measures: Participants were categorized into tetraplegia or paraplegia groups based on neurological level of injury, and into complete or incomplete groups based on American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) score. QoL was assessed by means of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LISAT-9), and Personal Well-Being Index (PWI).Results: WHOQOL-BREF and PWI predicted Level of Injury group classification and WHOQOL-BREF predicted Setting group classification. None of the questionnaires differentiated between the Type of Injury groups. At the early post-acute stage of rehabilitation, the QoL scores of participants with tetraplegia and paraplegia did not differ significantly, while significantly higher QoL scores were revealed in paraplegics in the long-term setting group.Conclusions: A direct, unmediated effect of severity of neurological impairment was revealed with the WHOQOL-BREF, which distinguished between the tetraplegia and paraplegia groups, but not between the complete and incomplete injuries. QoL was significantly higher in paraplegia than in tetraplegia following the early post-acute stage of rehabilitation.     

Creatinine clearance prediction in spinal cord injury patients: comparison of 6 prediction equations

The renal function of spinal cord injury patients frequently is overestimated by 3 commonly used equations to predict creatinine clearance. Overestimation of creatinine clearance may result in aminoglycoside overdosage and resultant nephrotoxicity. Three newer prediction equations have been developed from creatinine clearances measured in neurologically abnormal patients. These 6 equations were tested in 77 male and 9 female spinal cord injury patients (48 quadriplegics and 38 paraplegics, including 38 with acute and 48 with chronic injuries). The equation developed by Sawyer and Hutchins was superior to 2 other equations developed in spinal cord injury patients and 3 equations developed in neurologically normal patients. However, creatinine clearances predicted by this equation were within 30 ml. per minute of measured creatinine clearances in only two-thirds of the spinal cord injury patients. Errors ranged from overestimation by 95 ml. per minute (151 per cent) to underestimation by 106 ml. per minute (45 per cent). The potential for large errors in creatinine clearance prediction necessitates measurement of creatinine clearance as soon as possible when renal excreted and toxic pharmaceuticals are administered to spinal cord injury patients.     

猪胸腰段脊髓火器伤后早期血糖变化

目的建立家猪胸腰段脊髓火器伤模型和改良Allens打击伤后全瘫模型,观察伤后早期血糖的变化。方法将实验动物随机分为两组,其中火器伤(G)组6只,在全麻状态下制作胸腰段(L1,2)脊髓火器伤模型;打击伤(C)组6只,L1节段脊髓行改良Allen’s打击。各组动物分别于伤前、伤后0.5、1、2、4h检测血糖。结果两组动物在伤后4h内均出现高血糖,以伤后0.5h最高,而伤后1～4h逐渐降低。G组血糖的升高幅度较C组显著(P<0.01)。结论由于火器伤后血糖升高幅度较大,故脊髓火器伤后早期应慎用葡萄糖液。     

Epidural cooling for the prevention of ischemic injury to the spinal cord during aortic occlusion in a rabbit model: determination of the optimal temperature

PURPOSE: This experiment was designed for the determination of the optimal epidural cooling temperature for the allowance of spinal cord protection with minimal side effects during an aortic occlusion-induced spinal cord ischemia model in rabbits. METHODS: Spinal cord ischemia was induced in rabbits with infrarenal aortic occlusion for 40 minutes. Spinal cord cooling was effected with epidural infusion of normal saline solution at the following different temperatures: group 1, 17 degrees C (n = 6); group 2, 24 degrees C (n = 6); group 3, 32 degrees C (n = 6); and group 4, 39 degrees C (n = 3). Sham-operated rabbits without aortic occlusion were used as controls with epidural infusion at healthy body temperature (39 degrees C; n = 3). Motor function was assessed at 48 hours with Tarlov's criteria, and the animals were killed. The spinal cord was sectioned into multiple segments, and semiquantitative histologic scoring (0 to 5) was used to grade ischemic injury. RESULTS: Cooling solution and spinal cord temperatures showed linear correlation (r = 0.95). All the rabbits in groups 1 (except one with mild weakness), 2, and 3 were neurologically intact, and all in group 4 had paraplegia develop (P < .001). One rabbit in group 1 died from increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Mean blood pressure, ICP, and body temperature were similar among the groups. Histology correlated with the clinical findings. In groups 1 and 2, minimal histologic changes were noted. Low-grade ischemic changes were present in group 3 in the low-lumbar and mid-lumbar segments. Severe ischemic injury occurred at the same segments in group 4 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: These study results suggest that in rabbits satisfactory spinal cord protection during aortic occlusion can be achieved at moderate regional hypothermia (24 degrees C). Large volume infusion for the achievement of profound hypothermia may cause deleterious effects of increased ICP and is not warranted.     

Descending vasomotor pathways in humans: correlation between axonal preservation and cardiovascular dysfunction after spinal cord injury

Cardiovascular dysfunction is common after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans. At least three spinal cord elements involved in cardiovascular control have been identified: descending vasomotor pathways (DVPs), sympathetic preganglionic neurons, and spinal afferents. However, little is known about the localization of the DVPs within the human spinal cord, which limits our understanding of the mechanisms of cardiovascular dysfunction after SCI. This study was undertaken to examine the association of cardiovascular abnormalities after SCI in humans with the severity of degeneration and axonal loss within the DVPs. A detailed chart review and histopathological examination of postmortem spinal cord tissue was conducted in individuals with cervical SCI (n = 7) and control individuals with an intact central nervous system (n = 5). Individuals with SCI were divided into group 1 (severe cardiovascular abnormalities) and group 2 (no/minor cardiovascular disturbances). The area of degeneration and the number of preserved axons within different areas of the spinal cord were quantitated using EMPIX imaging software. Two areas of possible localization of DVPs were investigated: area I, within the dorsal aspects of the lateral funiculus; and area II, within the white matter adjacent to the dorsolateral aspect of the lateral horn. Comparison of the extent of axonal degeneration in both SCI groups demonstrated that individuals in group 1 had more extensive axonal degeneration than those in group 2. The number of intact axons within areas I and II in individuals from group 1 was significantly lower than those from group 2 or control cases (p = 0.029; p = 0.028). The most dramatic axonal loss was observed within area I in individuals with cardiovascular dysfunction. We conclude that loss and degeneration of DVPs, which are localized within the dorsolateral aspects of the human spinal cord, contributes to abnormal cardiovascular control after SCI. This information adds to our knowledge of pathobiology of cardiovascular dysfunction after human SCI and may ultimately suggest novel therapeutic strategies as regenerative and reparative approaches become translated to the clinic.     

The optimal radiologic method for assessing spinal canal compromise and cord compression in patients with cervical spinal cord injury. Part II: Results of a multicenter study

STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, retrospective study using computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging data to establish quantitative, reliable criteria of canal compromise and cord compression in patients with cervical spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a radiologic assessment tool of spinal canal compromise and cord compression in cervical spinal cord injury for use in clinical trials. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are few quantitative, reliable criteria for radiologic measurement of cervical spinal canal compromise or cord compression after acute spinal cord injury. METHODS: The study included 71 patients (55 men, 16 women; mean age, 39.7 +/- 18.7 years) with acute cervical spinal cord injury. Causes of spinal cord injury included motor vehicle accidents (n = 36), falls (n = 20), water-related injuries (n = 8), sports (n = 5), assault (n = 1), and farm accidents (n = 1). Canal compromise was measured on computed tomographic scan and T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and cord compression at the level of maximum injury was measured on T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. All films were assessed by two independent observers. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation of canal compromise and/or cord compression measurements between axial and midsagittal computed tomography, and between axial and midsagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Spinal canal compromise assessed by computed tomography showed a significant although moderate correlation with spinal cord compression assessed by T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Virtually all patients with canal compromise of 25% or more on computed tomographic scan had evidence of some degree of cord compression on magnetic resonance imaging, but a large number of patients with less than 25% canal compromise on computed tomographic scan also had evidence on magnetic resonance imaging of cord compression. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cervical spinal cord injury, the midsagittal T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging provides an objective, quantifiable, and reliable assessment of spinal cord compression that cannot be adequately assessed by computed tomography alone.     

Repair of the descending thoracic aorta: impact of open distal anastomosis technique on spinal cord perfusion, neurological outcome and spinal cord histopathology.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of equilibrating distal aortic pressure with atmospheric pressure (open distal anastomosis) on spinal cord perfusion, neurological outcome and spinal cord histopathology in a rat model of descending thoracic aortic surgery. METHODS: Proximal thoracic aortic occlusion was obtained in Sprague-Dawley rats by inflating the balloon of a 2F Fogarty catheter introduced through the left femoral artery. Rats were separated into three groups: sham-operation (n = 5) without balloon inflation, control (n = 15) with inflation of the balloon, and open distal (n = 15) with inflation of the balloon combined with incision of the right femoral artery to allow free drainage of distal aortic blood. Balloon inflation was maintained for 15 min. Rectal temperature, arterial blood gases and pH, distal arterial blood pressure (DABP) and lumbar spinal cord blood flow (SCBFl) were recorded throughout the procedure. Neurobehavioral status was assessed daily using a 0-5 scale and rats were sacrificed after 48 h of reperfusion and their spinal cord harvested for histopathology and immunohistochemistry for microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2). RESULTS: DABP and SCBFl values were lower during thoracic aortic occlusion in the open distal group, compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Paraplegia and mortality rates were dramatically increased in the open distal group (87.7 and 46.6%, respectively) compared to the control group (0 and 6.6%, respectively, (P < 0.001 and 0.02). Severe metabolic acidosis and bowel infarct were also more frequent in the open distal group (P < 0.001). Sham-operated and control rats had virtually normal spinal cords, whereas rats in the open distal group had severe ischemic injury throughout gray matter. CONCLUSIONS: Equilibrating distal arterial pressure with atmospheric pressure during thoracic aortic occlusion decreased spinal cord blood flow, increased mortality and worsened spinal cord injury in rats. These results suggest that the open distal anastomosis technique should be used with caution in patients undergoing repair of the descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta.     

高血糖对急性脊髓损伤后果的影响

目的探讨给予高渗糖对急性脊髓损伤后神经学功能恢复的影响。方法将16只健康禁食的大白兔随机分为两组,采用Alien’s脊髓损伤模型,在脊髓损伤前一组动物接受50％高渗糖0．5g／kg体重（处理组）,另一组采用等容量生理盐水对照（对照组）,脊防损伤前后采股动脉血测定血糖并于损伤后3天进行神经学评分。结果处理组与对照组相比,血糖水平显著增高（P＜0．04）,72小时后的神经功能评分也明显不如对照组（P＜0．01）。结论急性脊髓损伤期间的高血糖可加重脊髓继发性损伤。