scholarly journals Treatment of a Spinal Cord Hemitransection Injury with Keratin Biomaterial Hydrogel Elicits Recovery and Tissue Repair

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bailey V. Fearing ◽  
Christopher Hartley ◽  
Orrin Dayton ◽  
Garrett Sherwood ◽  
Tamer AbouShwareb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Bowel Dysfunction ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Conduction Delay ◽  
Medical Care Costs ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Histological Results

Medical care costs can reach an estimated value of $4 billion for spinal cord injuries (SCI) each year in the USA alone. With no viable treatment options available, care remains palliative and aims to minimize lifelong disabilities and complications, such as immobility, bladder and bowel dysfunction, breathing problems, and blood clots. Human hair keratin biomaterials have demonstrated efficacy in peripheral nerve injury models and were shown to improve conduction delay and increase axon number and density. In this study, a keratin hydrogel was tested in a central nervous system (CNS) application of spinal cord hemisection injury. Keratin-treated rats showed increased survival rates as well as a better functional recovery of gait properties and bladder function. Histological results demonstrated reduced glial scar formation with keratin treatment and suggested a greater degree of beneficial remodeling and cellular influx. The data provided in this pilot study suggest the possibility of using a keratin-based treatment for SCI and warrant further investigation.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of spinal cord and column tumors

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i5-i9
Author(s):  
Joshua T Wewel ◽  
John E O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Spinal Metastases ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Treatment Cascade ◽  
Tumor Pathology ◽  
Pathologic Fractures

Abstract The spine is a frequent location for metastatic disease. As local control of primary tumor pathology continues to improve, survival rates improve and, by extension, the opportunity for metastasis increases. Breast, lung, and prostate cancer are the leading contributors to spinal metastases. Spinal metastases can manifest as bone pain, pathologic fractures, spinal instability, nerve root compression, and, in its most severe form, spinal cord compression. The global extent of disease, the spinal burden, neurologic status, and life expectancy help to categorize patients as to their candidacy for treatment options. Efficient identification and workup of those with spinal metastases will expedite the treatment cascade and improve quality of life.

scholarly journals Controversies in the Surgical Management of Spinal Cord Injuries

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Raslan ◽  
Andrew N. Nemecek
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
The Usa

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) affects over 200,000 people in the USA and is a major source of morbidity, mortality, and societal cost. Management of SCI includes several components. Acute management includes medical agents and surgical treatment that usually includes either all or a combination of reduction, decompression, and stabilization. Physical therapy and rehabilitation and late onset SCI problems also play a role. A review of the literature in regard to surgical management of SCI patients in the acute setting was undertaken. The controversy surrounding whether reduction is safe, or not, and whether prereduction magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to rule out traumatic disc herniation is essential is discussed. The controversial role of timing of surgical intervention and the choice of surgical approach in acute, incomplete, and acute traumatic SCI patients are reviewed. Surgical treatment is an essential tool in management of SCI patients and the controversy surrounding the timing of surgery remains unresolved. Presurgical reduction is considered safe and essential in the management of SCI with loss of alignment, at least as an initial step in the overall care of a SCI patient. Future prospective collection of outcome data that would suffice as evidence-based is recommended and necessary.

scholarly journals Treatment of posttraumatic syringomyelia: evidence from a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 162 (10) ◽  
pp. 2541-2556
Author(s):  
Andrea Kleindienst ◽  
Francisco Marin Laut ◽  
Verena Roeckelein ◽  
Michael Buchfelder ◽  
Frank Dodoo-Schittko
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
English Language ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Sensory Function ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Posttraumatic Syringomyelia

Abstract Background Following spinal cord injury (SCI), the routine use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) resulted in an incremental diagnosis of posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS). However, facing four decades of preferred surgical treatment of PTS, no clear consensus on the recommended treatment exists. We review the literature on PTS regarding therapeutic strategies, outcomes, and complications. Methods We performed a systematic bibliographic search on (“spinal cord injuries” [Mesh] AND “syringomyelia” [Mesh]). English language literature published between 1980 and 2020 was gathered, and case reports and articles examining syrinx due to other causes were excluded. The type of study, interval injury to symptoms, severity and level of injury, therapeutic procedure, duration of follow-up, complications, and outcome were recorded. Results Forty-three observational studies including 1803 individuals met the eligibility criteria. The time interval from SCI to the diagnosis of PTS varied between 42 and 264 months. Eighty-nine percent of patients were treated surgically (n = 1605) with a complication rate of 26%. Symptoms improved in 43% of patients postoperatively and in 2% treated conservatively. Stable disease was documented in 50% of patients postoperatively and in 88% treated conservatively. The percentage of deterioration was similar (surgery 16%, 0.8% dead; conservative 10%). Detailed analysis of surgical outcome with regard to symptoms revealed that pain, motor, and sensory function could be improved in 43 to 55% of patients while motor function deteriorated in around 25%. The preferred methods of surgery were arachnoid lysis (48%) and syrinx drainage (31%). Conclusion Even diagnosing PTS early in its evolution with MRI, to date, no satisfactory standard treatment exists, and the present literature review shows similar outcomes, regardless of the treatment modality. Therefore, PTS remains a neurosurgical challenge. Additional research is required using appropriate study designs for improving treatment options.

scholarly journals Use of Prolonged Standing for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (8) ◽  
pp. 1392-1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice J Eng ◽  
Stephen M Levins ◽  
Andrea F Townson ◽  
Dianna Mah-Jones ◽  
Joy Bremner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Reflex Activity ◽  
Prolonged Standing ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Extra Activity ◽  
Survey Responses

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Prolonged standing in people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) has the potential to affect a number of health-related areas such as reflex activity, joint range of motion, or well-being. The purpose of this study was to document the patterns of use of prolonged standing and their perceived effects in subjects with SCIs. Subjects. The subjects were 152 adults with SCIs (103 male, 49 female; mean age=34 years, SD=8, range=18–55) who returned mailed survey questionnaires. Methods. A 17-item self-report survey questionnaire was sent to the 463 members of a provincial spinal cord support organization. Results. Survey responses for 26 of the 152 respondents were eliminated from the analysis because they had minimal effects from their injuries and did not need prolonged standing as an extra activity. Of the 126 remaining respondents, 38 respondents (30%) reported that they engaged in prolonged standing for an average of 40 minutes per session, 3 to 4 times a week, as a method to improve or maintain their health. The perceived benefits included improvements in several health-related areas such as well-being, circulation, skin integrity, reflex activity, bowel and bladder function, digestion, sleep, pain, and fatigue. The most common reason that prevented the respondents from standing was the cost of equipment to enable standing. Discussion and Conclusion. Considering the many reported benefits of standing, this activity may be useful for people with SCI. This study identified a number of body systems and functions that may need to be investigated if clinical trials of prolonged standing in people with SCI are undertaken.

scholarly journals Bowel Dysfunction and Disturbance of Physical Condition after Evacuation in Patients with Chronic Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries.

2001 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Yoshimura ◽  
Hiroshi Maejima ◽  
Hisato Sasaki ◽  
Sachiko Tanaka ◽  
Naohiko Kanemura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Bowel Dysfunction

scholarly journals Combined medical and surgical treatment after acute spinal cord injury: results of a prospective pilot study to assess the merits of aggressive medical resuscitation and blood pressure management

1999 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. E6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando L. Vale ◽  
Jennifer Burns ◽  
Amie B. Jackson ◽  
Mark N. Hadley
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Cord Injury

The optimal management of acute spinal cord injuries remains to be defined. The authors prospectively applied resuscitation principles of volume expansion and blood pressure maintenance to 77 patients who presented with acute neurological deficits as a result of spinal cord injuries occurring from C-1 through T-12 in an effort to maintain spinal cord blood flow and prevent secondary injury. According to the Intensive Care Unit protocol, all patients were managed by Swan-Ganz and arterial blood pressure catheters and were treated with immobilization and fracture reduction as indicated. Intravenous fluids, colloid, and vasopressors were administered as necessary to maintain mean arterial blood pressure above 85 mm Hg. Surgery was performed for decompression and stabilization, and fusion in selected cases. Sixty-four patients have been followed at least 12 months postinjury by means of detailed neurological assessments and functional ability evaluations. Sixty percent of patients with complete cervical spinal cord injuries improved at least one Frankel or American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade at the last follow-up review. Thirty percent regained the ability to walk and 20% had return of bladder function 1 year postinjury. Thirty-three percent of the patients with complete thoracic spinal cord injuries improved at least one Frankel or ASIA grade. Approximately 10% of the patients regained the ability to walk and had return of bladder function. As of the 12-month follow-up review, 92% of patients demonstrated clinical improvement after sustaining incomplete cervical spinal cord injuries compared to their initial neurological status. Ninety-two percent regained the ability to walk and 88% regained bladder function. Eighty-eight percent of patients with incomplete thoracic spinal cord injuries demonstrated significant improvements in neurological function 1 year postinjury. Eighty-eight percent were able to walk and 63% had return of bladder function. The authors conclude that the enhanced neurological outcome that was observed in patients after spinal cord injury in this study was in addition to, and/or distinct from, any potential benefit provided by surgery. Early and aggressive medical management (volume resuscitation and blood pressure augmentation) of patients with acute spinal cord injuries optimizes the potential for neurological recovery after sustaining trauma.

scholarly journals Caring for reproductive-aged women with spinal cord injuries: a case report

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Ward ◽  
Christopher Walker
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Congenital Defects ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Family Nutrition ◽  
Exercise In Pregnancy ◽  
In Pregnancy

In 2008 there were an estimated 259,000 people living in the USA with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The majority of these people are in their reproductive years, and over 19% are estimated to be women. Advances in medical management have allowed many women to live successfully with congenital defects or injuries resulting in SCI that even a few years ago would have been fatal. Although many of these women may be classified as ‘disabled’, fertility is not usually affected in SCI and many of these women desire children of their own. It is important to counsel these women regarding the range of issues related to pregnancy. These include conception issues, parenting with a disability, emotional concerns of the family, nutrition and exercise in pregnancy, risks in pregnancy, labour and delivery, postpartum care, and breastfeeding. For health-care providers it is important to know and understand your patient’s disability and be able to provide the best patient-centred quality care, understanding that each patient's circumstance may be unlike any other patient.

Attempted bladder reinnervation and creation of a scratch reflex for bladder emptying through a somatic-to-autonomic intradural anastomosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald F. Tuite ◽  
Bruce B. Storrs ◽  
Yves L. Homsy ◽  
Sarah J. Gaskill ◽  
Ethan G. Polsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Neurogenic Bladder ◽  
Bowel Function ◽  
Bowel Dysfunction ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Clinical Report ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Patient Reported

An intradural somatic-to-autonomic anastomosis, or Xiao procedure, has been described to create a “skin-CNS-bladder” reflex that improves bladder and bowel function in patients with neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction. The authors present their experience with a 10-year-old boy with chronic neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction related to spinal cord injury who underwent the Xiao procedure. After undergoing a left L-5 ventral root to left S2–3 intradural anastomosis, the patient reported that his bladder and bowel dysfunction improved between 6 and 12 months. Two years after the procedure, however, he reported that there was no change in his bladder or bowel dysfunction as compared with his condition prior to the procedure. Frequent, systematic multidisciplinary evaluations produced conflicting data. Electrophysiological and histological evaluation of the previously performed anastomosis during surgical reexploration 3 years after the Xiao procedure revealed that the anastomosis was in anatomical continuity but neuroma formation had prevented reinnervation. Nerve action potentials were not demonstrable across the anastomosis, and stimulation of the nerve above and below the anastomosis created no bladder or perineal contractions. This is the first clinical report on the outcome of the Xiao procedure in a child with spinal cord injury outside of China. It is impossible to draw broad conclusions about the efficacy of the procedure based on a single patient with no demonstrable benefit. However, future studies should carefully interpret transient improvements in bladder function, urodynamic findings, and the patient's ability to void in response to scratching after the Xiao procedure. The authors' experience with the featured patient, in whom reinnervation could not be demonstrated, suggests that such changes could be related to factors other than the establishment of a skin-CNS-bladder reflex as a result of a somatic-to-autonomic anastomosis.

Combined medical and surgical treatment after acute spinal cord injury: results of a prospective pilot study to assess the merits of aggressive medical resuscitation and blood pressure management

1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando L. Vale ◽  
Jennifer Burns ◽  
Amie B. Jackson ◽  
Mark N. Hadley
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The optimal management of acute spinal cord injuries remains to be defined. The authors prospectively applied resuscitation principles of volume expansion and blood pressure maintenance to 77 patients who presented with acute neurological deficits as a result of spinal cord injuries occurring from C-1 through T-12 in an effort to maintain spinal cord blood flow and prevent secondary injury. According to the Intensive Care Unit protocol, all patients were managed by using Swan—Ganz and arterial blood pressure catheters and were treated with immobilization and fracture reduction as indicated. Intravenous fluids, colloid, and vasopressors were administered as necessary to maintain mean arterial blood pressure above 85 mm Hg. Surgery was performed for decompression and stabilization, and fusion in selected cases. Sixty-four patients have been followed at least 12 months postinjury by means of detailed neurological assessments and functional ability evaluations. Sixty percent of patients with complete cervical spinal cord injuries improved at least one Frankel or American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade at the last follow-up review. Thirty percent regained the ability to walk and 20% had return of bladder function 1 year postinjury. Thirty-three percent of the patients with complete thoracic spinal cord injuries improved at least one Frankel or ASIA grade. Approximately 10% of the patients regained the ability to walk and had return of bladder function. As of the 12-month follow-up review, 92% of patients demonstrated clinical improvement after sustaining incomplete cervical spinal cord injuries compared to their initial neurological status. Ninety-two percent regained the ability to walk and 88% regained bladder function. Eighty-eight percent of patients with incomplete thoracic spinal cord injuries demonstrated significant improvements in neurological function 1 year postinjury. Eighty-eight percent were able to walk and 63% had return of bladder function. The authors conclude that the enhanced neurological outcome that was observed in patients after spinal cord injury in this study was in addition to, and/or distinct from, any potential benefit provided by surgery. Early and aggressive medical management (volume resuscitation and blood pressure augmentation) of patients with acute spinal cord injuries optimizes the potential for neurological recovery after sustaining trauma.

scholarly journals Spinal Cord Injury in the Geriatric Population: Risk Factors, Treatment Options, and Long-Term Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tochukwu C. Ikpeze ◽  
Addisu Mesfin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Spinal Cord Ischemia ◽  
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are sustained by more than 12 500 patients per year in the United States and more globally. The SCIs disproportionately affect the elderly, especially men. Approximately 60% of these injuries are sustained traumatically through falls, but nontraumatic causes including infections, tumors, and medication-related epidural bleeding have also been documented. Preexisting conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis can render the spine stiff and are risk factors as well as cervical spondylosis and ensuing cervical stenosis. Treatment options vary depending on the severity, location, and complexity of the injury. Surgical management has been growing in popularity over the years and remains an option as it helps reduce spinal cord compression and alleviate pain. Elevating mean arterial pressures to prevent spinal cord ischemia and avoiding the second hit of SCI have become more common as opposed to high dose steroids. Ongoing clinical trials with pharmacological agents such as minocycline and riluzole have shown early, promising results in their ability to reduce cellular damage and facilitate recovery. Though SCI can be life changing, the available treatment options have aimed to reduce pain and minimize complications and maintain quality of life alongside rehabilitative services.

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