Olfactory glia transplantation into cervical spinal cord contusion injuries

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge E. Collazos-Castro ◽  
Vilma C. Muñetón-Gómez ◽  
Manuel Nieto-Sampedro
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Axonal Growth ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Tracer Injection ◽  
Neural Repair ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Contusion Injury ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The results of olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation have raised great expectations as a potential treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). Its capacity to promote functional neural repair, however, remains unclear. The authors studied axonal growth and locomotor recovery after C-7 contusion injury and OEC transplantation in adult rats. Methods. Twenty-four male Wistar rats underwent a mild C-7 contusion injury that completely disrupted the dorsal corticospinal tract (DCST). In 14 rats OECs were transplanted into the lesion, and 10 were used as controls. At 3 months postcontusion, the kinematics of locomotion were assessed, and the CST was traced by injecting dextran tetramethylrhodamine bilaterally into the cerebral cortex. The animals were killed 2 weeks after tracer injection, and their spinal cords were studied immunohistochemically. Although the survival of transplanted cells varied, they were present in all cases. The authors observed neither OEC migration nor DCST axon regeneration in any of the cell transplant—treated rats. Corticospinal axons ended in retraction bulbs at the proximal edge of the lesion or, exceptionally, a few micrometers inside the transplant. The results of neurofilament immunohistochemical analysis provided evidence of neurites from systems other than the DCST growing into the transplant, but in some cases these neurites formed loops of pathological appearance. Contusion injury of C-7 caused chronic locomotor deficits that did not improve after OEC transplants. Conclusions. The findings in this study indicate that OEC transplants alone are not sufficient for neural repair and functional recovery after SCI. In addition, OECs can induce abnormal axonal growth, making further studies necessary before considering their clinical use.

Ultrastructural scoring of graded acute spinal cord injury in the rat

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erkan Kaptanoglu ◽  
Selcuk Palaoglu ◽  
H. Selcuk Surucu ◽  
Mutlu Hayran ◽  
Etem Beskonakli
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Contusion Injury ◽  
Weight Drop ◽  
Fine Print

Object. There is a need for an accurate quantitative histological technique that also provides information on neurons, axons, vascular endothelium, and subcellular organelles after spinal cord injury (SCI). In this paper the authors describe an objective, quantifiable technique for determining the severity of SCI. The usefulness of ultrastructural scoring of acute SCI was assessed in a rat model of contusion injury. Methods. Spinal cords underwent acute contusion injury by using varying weights to produce graded SCI. Adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups. In the first group control animals underwent laminectomy only, after which nontraumatized spinal cord samples were obtained 8 hours postsurgery. The weight-drop technique was used to produce 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-g/cm injuries. Spinal cord samples were also obtained in the different trauma groups 8 hours after injury. Behavioral assessment and ultrastructural evaluation were performed in all groups. When the intensity of the traumatic injury was increased, behavioral responses showed a decreasing trend. A similar significant negative correlation was observed between trauma-related intensity and ultrastructural scores. Conclusions. In the present study the authors characterize quantitative ultrastructural scoring of SCI in the acute, early postinjury period. Analysis of these results suggests that this method is useful in evaluating the degree of trauma and the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in neuroprotection studies.

Cruciate paralysis

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Dumitru ◽  
James E. Lang
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Motor Vehicle Accident ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vehicle Accident ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A rare case of cruciate paralysis is reported in a 39-year-old man following a motor-vehicle accident. The differentiation of this syndrome from a central cervical spinal cord injury is delineated.

Tracheostomy placement in patients with complete cervical spinal cord injuries: American Spinal Injury Association Grade A

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Harrop ◽  
Ashwini D. Sharan ◽  
Edward H. Scheid ◽  
Alexander R. Vaccaro ◽  
Gregory J. Przybylski
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Injury ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Acute Injury ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
American Spinal Injury Association ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors sought to identify variables that predispose patients with acute American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Grade A cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) to require tracheostomies for ventilator support or airway protection. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed of 178 consecutive patients with a cervical ASIA Grade A SCI who were admitted through the Delaware Valley SCI Center at Thomas Jefferson Hospital during a 6-year period. Exclusion criteria included injury occurring more than 48 hours prior to admission, death within 14 days of admission or nontraumatic SCI. Twenty-two patients were excluded based on these criteria. Parameters evaluated in the remaining population (156 patients) included demographics, cervical vertebral ASIA level, tracheostomy placement, pneumonia, premorbid pulmonary disease, smoking history, evidence of direct thoracic/lung trauma, operative intervention, associated appendicular trauma, and preexisting medical comorbidities. The ASIA classification of the 156 patients included in this analysis were C-2 (eight), C-3 (11), C-4 (64), C-5 (36), C-6 (20), C-7 (13), and C-8 (four). Tracheostomies were performed in 107 of these 156 patients. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between tracheostomy and patient age (p = 0.0048), preexisting medical conditions (p = 0.0417), premorbid lung disease (p = 0.0177), higher cervical ASIA level (p < 0.0001), and the presence of pneumonia (p < 0.0001). No patient with a C-8 ASIA A injury required tracheostomy, whereas all C-2 and C-3 ASIA A—injured patients underwent tracheostomies. Patients older than 45 years of age with ASIA A levels between C-4 and C-7 more commonly required tracheostomy (p < 0.005) than patients younger than 45 years of age. Conclusions. Several risk factors were identified that corresponded to the frequent tracheostomy placement in the acute injury phase after complete cervical SCI. Early tracheostomy may be considered in patients with multiple risk factors to reduce duration of stay in the intensive care unit and facilitate ventilatory weaning.

Alternating Horner's syndrome and hyperhidrosis due to dural adhesions following cervical spinal cord injury

1980 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michinori Ottomo ◽  
Robert F. Heimburger
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Dura Mater ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Horner’S Syndrome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Intramedullary Cyst ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Alternating Horner's sign and hyperhidrosis appeared in this patient 8 years after a spinal cord injury at C6–7. An intramedullary cyst was suspected but was not found at operation. There was a striking improvement in both symptoms after adhesions between the spinal cord and the dura mater were freed.

Mechanically engineered hydrogel scaffolds for axonal growth and angiogenesis after transplantation in spinal cord injury

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Bakshi ◽  
Omar Fisher ◽  
Taner Dagci ◽  
B. Timothy Himes ◽  
Itzhak Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Axonal Growth ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minimal Scarring ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Host Tissues ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex pathological entity, the treatment of which requires a multipronged approach. One way to integrate different therapeutic strategies for SCI is to develop implantable scaffolds that can deliver therapies in a synergistic manner. Many investigators have developed implantable “bridges,” but an important property of such scaffolds—that is, mechanical compatibility with host tissues—has been neglected. In this study, the authors evaluated the results of implanting a mechanically matched hydrogel-based scaffold to treat SCI. Methods. A nonbiodegradable hydrogel, poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA), was engineered using thermally initiated free radical solution polymerization. Two groups of 12 adult Sprague—Dawley rats underwent partial cervical hemisection injury followed by implantation of either PHEMA or PHEMA soaked in 1 µg of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Four rats from each group were killed 1, 2, or 4 weeks after induction of the injury. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine the presence of scarring, cellular inflammatory responses, gliosis, angiogenesis, and axonal growth in and around the implanted scaffolds. Conclusions. The implanted PHEMA with 85% water content had a compressive modulus of 3 to 4 kPa, which matched the spinal cord. Implanted PHEMA elicited modest cellular inflammatory responses that disappeared by 4 weeks and minimal scarring was noted around the matrix. Considerable angiogenesis was observed in PHEMA, and PHEMA soaked in BDNF promoted axonal penetration into the gel. The authors conclude that mechanically engineered PHEMA is well accepted by host tissues and might be used as a platform for sustained drug delivery to promote axonal growth and functional recovery after SCI.

Does chronic cervical myelopathy affect respiratory function?

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromitsu Toyoda ◽  
Hiroaki Nakamura ◽  
Sadahiko Konishi ◽  
Hidetomi Terai ◽  
Kunio Takaoka
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Respiratory Function ◽  
Vital Capacity ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Expiratory Flow ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Although respiratory function is often impaired by acute cervical spinal cord injury, changes in respiratory function in patients with chronic cervical myelopathy (CCM) are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the respiratory function of patients with CCM. Methods. Spirometric parameters were measured in 94 patients with CCM before they underwent expansive laminoplasty. These measurements were compared with those obtained in age- and sex-matched control group patients without myelopathy. The study patients were also subdivided into two groups: those with spinal compressive lesions above or below the C3–4 disc level were compared in terms of respiratory function. The vital capacity values measured in patients with CCM were significantly lower than those in the control group. In patients in whom spinal cord compression was present above C3–4, vital capacity values were lower than in patients in whom the compression level was below C3–4. The resting respiratory rate per minute was elevated in the CCM group. Peak expiratory flow rate was significantly decreased, and expiratory velocities at 50 and 25% of vital capacity were significantly increased in the CCM group. Conclusions. The results indicated that expiratory flow may be impaired or incomplete in patients with CCM. An underlying subclinical respiratory dysfunction appears to be associated with CCM.

The syndrome of acute central cervical spinal cord injury after a gunshot lesion

1977 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf I. Steudel ◽  
William Ingunza
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Canal ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors describe a unique case in which a bullet was lodged in the spinal canal at the C2–3 level. The patient exhibited clinically the syndrome of acute central cervical spinal cord injury. The pathogenesis is discussed with reference to three similar cases in the literature.

Mechanism of the spinal cord injury and the cervical spondylotic myelopathy: new approach based on the mechanical features of the spinal cord white and gray matter

2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiko Ichihara ◽  
Toshihiko Taguchi ◽  
Itsuo Sakuramoto ◽  
Shunichi Kawano ◽  
Shinya Kawai
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Strain Rates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors have previously investigated the mechanical properties of the white and gray matter in the bovine cervical spinal cord, demonstrating that the gray matter is more rigid, although more fragile, than the white matter. In the present study they conducted additional tensile tests on the bovine cervical spinal cord by changing strain levels and strain rates applied to the white and gray matter. Methods. Based on their testing, the authors found the following: 1) Stress within the spinal cord relaxes over time. 2) Intracord stress is related to the strain rates or levels. The finite element method was used to compute the stress distribution within the spinal cord under three compressive loading conditions. Results from the computations showed a different stress distribution in the white and gray matter, where the distribution of stress varied with strain rate, compression volume, and the position of compression. Conclusions. These differences in mechanical properties between the white and gray matter constitute different mechanisms contributing to the development of tissue damage and clinical symptoms.

Functional recovery after complete contusion injury to the spinal cord and transplantation of human neuroteratocarcinoma neurons in rats

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Saporta ◽  
A. Shahram Makoui ◽  
Alison E. Willing ◽  
Marcel Daadi ◽  
David W. Cahill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
Teratocarcinoma Cell ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Contusion Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Contusion ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Human neuroteratocarcinoma (hNT)—derived neurons are differentiated postmitotic neurons derived from a human teratocarcinoma cell line following treatment with retinoic acid. In preclinical transplantation studies investigators have demonstrated both their safety as a source of neurons for transplantation and efficacy in treating stroke-related behavioral deficits. The objective of this study was to examine whether hNT neurons transplanted in an area of complete spinal cord contusion would improve electrophysiological measures of spinal cord function. Methods. Complete spinal cord contusion injury, defined as the complete loss of motor evoked potentials (MEPs), was produced in 30 rats at T-8. Ten rats with contused spinal cords underwent transplantation with hNT neurons within the site of contusion immediately after injury (immediate transplant group). Ten rats underwent hNT neuron transplantation following a 2-week evaluation for loss of MEPs (delayed transplant group). Ten other rats with contusion injury served as a spinal cord injury control group, and 10 rats underwent only a T-8 laminectomy and served as noninjured controls. All rats survived 8 weeks after transplantation. In the delayed transplant group significant functional recovery was observed, as demonstrated by return of MEPs and a modest improvement of motor function. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the survival, integration, and long fiber outgrowth of the grafted hNT neurons. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the transplantation of the hNT neurons may be an effective means of reestablishing electrical connectivity of the injured spinal cord.

Effect of experimental cervical spinal cord injury on respiratory function

1974 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoru Kadoya ◽  
Leo C. Massopust ◽  
L. R. Wolin ◽  
N. Taslitz ◽  
R. J. White
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Respiratory Function ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Pressure Effects ◽  
Spontaneous Respiration ◽  
Mechanical Trauma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Cord Lesion ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The effect on respiratory function of crushing the C-4 level of the cervical spinal cord was evaluated in monkeys. Spontaneous respiration ceased immediately after the crush due to direct mechanical trauma, but could be recovered provided a respirator was used and certain areas of the anterolateral columns remained intact. This acute respiratory paralysis occurred even in minimally damaged cords in which most of the anterolateral columns were spared, and led to death due to hypoxia if a respirator was not used. The delayed spinal cord swelling due to edema and centrifugal pressure from an expanding central cord lesion gradually caused delayed respiratory paralysis; durotomy relieved the pressure effects and markedly facilitated recovery.

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