1/985. The changes in human spinal sympathetic preganglionic neurons after spinal cord injury.We have applied conventional histochemical, immunocytochemical and morphometric techniques to study the changes within the human spinal sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs) after spinal cord injury. SPNs are localized within the intermediolateral nucleus (IML) of the lateral horn at the thoraco-lumbar level of the spinal cord and are the major contributors to central cardiovascular control. SPNs in different thoracic segments in the normal spinal cord were similar in soma size. SPNs in the IML were also identified using immunoreactivity to choline acetyltransferase. Soma area of SPNs was 400.7 15 microm2 and 409.9 /-22 microm2 at the upper thoracic (T3) and middle thoracic (T7) segments, respectively. In the spinal cord obtained from a person who survived for 2 weeks following a spinal cord injury at T5, we found a significant decrease in soma area of the SPNs in the segments below the site of injury: soma area of SPNs at T8 was 272.9 /-11 microm2. At T1 the soma area was 418 /-19 microm2. In the spinal cord obtained from a person who survived 23 years after cord injury at T3, the soma area of SPNs above (T1) and below (T7) the site of injury was similar (416.2 /-19 and 425.0 /-20 microm2 respectively). The findings demonstrate that the SPNs in spinal segments caudal to the level of the lesion undergo a significant decrease of their size 2 weeks after spinal cord injury resulting in complete transection of the spinal cord. The impaired cardiovascular control after spinal cord injury may be accounted for, in part, by the described changes of the SPNs. The SPNs in spinal segments caudal to the injury were of normal size in the case studied 23 years after the injury, suggesting that the atrophy observed at 2 weeks is transient. More studies are necessary to establish the precise time course of these morphological changes in the spinal preganglionic neurons.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/985. The treatment of immature heterotopic ossification in spinal cord injury with combination surgery, radiation therapy and NSAID.Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a frequent complication associated with spinal cord injury. Management of HO consists of a combination of range-of-motion, diphosphonates, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, radiation therapy, and in some cases, surgical resection. The appropriate timing of surgical resection has traditionally been based on maturity of the HO. The case presented is that of a 33-year-old male with T8 complete paraplegia who developed HO about the left hip resulting in impaired sitting. The patient underwent successful surgical wedge resection of the HO despite apparent immaturity of the HO. A comprehensive review of the literature is presented which suggests that early resection of immature HO may not be predictive of a higher recurrence rate.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.38461538461538keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/985. spinal cord injury in a fetus.In her eighth month of pregnancy a woman was stabbed in the abdomen with a barbecue fork. Upon delivery one week later, the child was noted to have two scars in the thoracic region on the back. The legs were flaccid. Surgical exploration at the age of seven months revealed marked, dense scarring of spinal cord and arachnoid membrane. No similar case was found in the literature.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.30769230769231keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/985. Parenchymatous cerebral neurocysticercosis in a quadriplegic patient.OBJECTIVE: To present and discuss a case of cerebral neurocysticercosis in a quadriplegic patient. DESIGN: Case report of a case of neurocysticercosis in a high level spinal cord injury (SCI) patient who developed episodes of autonomic dysreflexia and orthostatic hypotension associated with transient neurologic deficits and seizures. SETTING: spinal cord Unit of the University Hospital of Geneva, switzerland. SUBJECT: Single patient case report. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical and radiological magnetic resonance imaging follow-up of the patient between July 1995 and October 1997. RESULTS: Treatment of cysticercosis with praziquantel relieved the patient from autonomic dysreflexia, symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, transitory neurological deficits and seizures. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis in a quadriplegic patient might be difficult because of frequent overlaps with some usual symptoms occurring in high level SCI, mostly autonomic dysreflexia and orthostatic hypotension. neurocysticercosis should be kept in mind when a SCI patient living in, or coming from endemic zones presents with new neurological abnormalities and seizures. magnetic resonance imaging appears to be more sensitive than computerised tomography to confirm the diagnosis of active cysticercosis. Treatment with praziquantel associated with cimetidine to increase the drug bioavailability and prednisone to reduce the inflammatory reaction gives good results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.076923076923077keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/985. Antidepressant exacerbation of spasticity.patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) may develop depression. This may be related to adjustment to living with an SCI in addition to dealing with complications of the injury, such as spasticity. Pharmacologic treatment of depression can be difficult because of neurochemical and receptor changes that are associated with SCI. Newer antidepressant agents are purported to have selective activity by alteration of serotonergic neurotransmission. A case report is presented that illustrates exacerbation of spasticity by this family of antidepressant medications. Mechanisms possibly explaining this exacerbation of spasticity are the effects of serotonin on motor neuron and reflex activity, denervation supersensitivity, and the serotonin syndrome. Understanding the relationship between serotonergic systems and spasticity can be important in treating depression in patients with spasticity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.15384615384615keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/985. Special problems associated with abdominal aneurysmectomy in spinal cord injury patients.There were 8 patients with spinal cord injury in the last 100 consecutive patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm resected at the Long Beach veterans Administration Hospital. Emphasis is placed upon the problems in management not found in individuals without spinal cord injury. A successful outcome is dependent upon: (a) aggressive control of foci of infection, (b) early diagnosis and planned surgical intervention, (c) continuous intraoperative arterial and central venous pressure monitoring and (d) alertness to the prevention of postoperative complications, with emphasis upon careful tracheal toilet and anticipation of delayed wound healing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.46153846153846keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/985. Using seat contour measurements during seating evaluations of individuals with SCI.Measuring the shape of the buttock-cushion interface has been used successfully in research to study tissue loading and as a means to fabricate custom contoured cushions. Seat contours are also able to provide useful clinical information on the weight-bearing surface of the cushion, which can be used to address posture. This article offers specific case studies that demonstrate how the analysis of seat contours can be used to identify pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and areas of high loading. Seat contour measurements complement other clinical measures, such as seat interface pressures and general postural assessments, to form a more complete picture of the buttock-cushion interface. They have become useful in the clinical management of various pressure and posture problems experienced by individuals with spinal cord injury and other wheelchair users.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.076923076923077keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/985. Restoration of strong grasp and lateral pinch in tetraplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury.patients with tetraplegia who have "strong" sixth cervical neurologic (C-6) function often can be given active grasp and strong lateral pinch by tendon transfers and tenodeses. wrist control can be retained by the extensor carpi radialis brevis and flexor carpi radialis and can permit transfer of the extensor carpi radialis longus to provide finger flexion. Either the brachioradialis or pronator teres then is available for transfer to restore adduction-opposition of the thumb with an in situ tendon graft of a paralyzed flexor superficialis rerouted to the thumb through a palmar fascial pulley. The other motor can provide thumb flexion for strong lateral pinch. Extrinsic extension can be provided by tendoeses. With seventh cervical neurologic (C-7) function retained, active digital extension is present and functional expectations are better. Ten hands in seven patients with traumatic tetraplegia from injuries at C-6 or C-7 level have been reconstructed. The average grasp and pinch force after operation was 5.5 and 3.0 Kg., respectively. All patients but one were pleased with the increased function a- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.30772039632676keywords = injury, trauma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/985. pathology of the spinal cord damaged by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament associated with spinal cord injury.A 63-year-old male became quadriplegic after spinal injury associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine and died 4 years later. A postmortem examination of the cervical spinal cord showed various unfavorable pathological changes accounting for severe myelopathy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.38461538461538keywords = injury (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/985. Pseudo Chiari type I malformation secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage.cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage may occur spontaneously, iatrogenically or from spinal trauma. Postural headache is the cardinal symptom; dizziness, diminished hearing, nausea and vomiting are additional symptoms. In neurological examinations cranial nerve palsies may be found. Due to low CSF pressure neuroimaging studies may reveal dural enhancement and vertical displacement of the brain. We describe a patient with the history of an uncomplicated lumbar discectomy at the level L4-5 and the typical clinical symptoms of intracranial hypotension. MRI of the craniocervical junction showed typical features of a Chiari type-I malformation. After neurosurgical ligation of a CSF leak at L4-5 caused by lumbar disc surgery, the patient was free of orthostatic headache. A repeated MRI showed a striking reduction of the previous downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils and pons.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6.5394074816416E-5keywords = brain, trauma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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