scholarly journals A one-year prospective study on the occurrence of traumatic spinal cord injury and clinical complications during hospitalisation in North-East Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 788-794
Author(s):  
Haleluya I Moshi ◽  
Gunnevi G Sundelin ◽  
Klas G Sahlen ◽  
Ann VM Sörlin
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Data Set ◽  
North East ◽  
Clinical Complications ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Kilimanjaro Region ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Clinical complications following spinal cord injury are a big concern as they account for increased cost of rehabilitation, poor outcomes and mortality. Objective: To describe the occurrence of traumatic spinal cord injury and associated clinical complications during hospi- talisation in North-East Tanzania. Method: Prospective data were collected from all persons with traumatic spinal cord injury from North-East Tanzania from their admission to discharge from the hospital. Neurological progress and complications were assessed routinely. Data were captured using a form that incorporated the components of the core data set of the International Spinal Cord Society and were analysed descriptively. Results: A total of 87 persons with traumatic spinal cord injury were admitted at the hospital with a mean age of 40.2 ± 15.8 years. There were 69 (79.3%) males, and 58 (66.6%) of the injuries resulted from falls. Spasms (41 patients, 47.1%), neuropathic pain (40 patients, 46%), and constipation (35 patients, 40.2%) were the most commonly reported complications. The annual incidence rate in the Kilimanjaro region was at least 38 cases per million. Conclusion: The incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury in the Kilimanjaro region is relatively high. In-hospital compli- cations are prevalent and are worth addressing for successful rehabilitation. Keywords: Rehabilitation; pressure ulcer; spasm; urinary tract infections; low income countries.

scholarly journals Profile of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patients Admitted in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A North East India Experience

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-43
Author(s):  
A R Chanu ◽  
C Zonunsanga ◽  
Hmingthanmawii LNU ◽  
M Pertin
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Physical Medicine ◽  
Common Site ◽  
North East India ◽  
North East ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Study Design Retrospective Descriptive Study. Setting Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Department, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, a tertiary care teaching hospital in North East India Study Duration 1st November 2011 to 31st October 2012. Study Duration 1st November 2011 to 31st October 2012. Objective To study the profile of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients admitted in PMR Department, RIMS. Materials and Methods Neurological profile of traumatic SCI patients admitted in PMR Department, RIMS was recorded using a structured proforma and analysed. Demographic profile of the patients, time since injury, functional status and complications were also recorded. Results Among all 22 patients, 16(72.7%) were tetraplegics with C5 (59.09%) as the most common neurological level involved. Twelve (54.5%) were American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade A. The mean motor and sensory scores were 45±24.97 and 157.50±69.53 respectively. The mean FIM score (at admission) was 71.50±23.40 and FIM (at discharge) was 82.35±20.72. Spasticity was present in 16 cases (72.7%) with gastrosoleus as most common site. There were 14 patients (63.6%) who had urinary tract infection (UTI). Only 5(22.7%) underwent urodynamic study and all had hyperactive detrussor. The most common mode of bladder management was clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC) which was done in 16 patients (72.7%). Pressure sore was seen in 14(63.6%) of patients with sacrum (78.57%) as the most common site. Conclusion Majority of traumatic SCI inpatients were of ASIA grade A and tetraplegics were commoner. Fall from height was the comonest cause of injury. Spasticity, UTI and pressure sores were common complications.

Neurological Recovery in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patient with Delayed Surgical Intervention

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Mochamad Targib Alatas
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury Patient ◽  
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Score Improvement ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Injury Patient

Early surgical treatment for traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients has been proven to yield better improvement on neurological state, and widely practiced among surgeons in this field. However, it is not always affordable in every clinical setting. It is undeniable that surgery for chronic SCI has more challenges as the malunion of vertebral bones might have initiated, thus requires more complex operating techniques. In this case series, we report 7 patients with traumatic SCI whose surgical intervention is delayed due to several reasons. Initial motoric scores vary from 0 to 3, all have their interval periods supervised between outpatient clinic visits. On follow up they demonstrate significant neurological development defined by at least 2 grades motoric score improvement. Physical rehabilitation also began before surgery was conducted. These results should encourage surgeons to keep striving for the patient’s best interest, even when the injury has taken place weeks or even months before surgery is feasible because clinical improvement for these patients is not impossible. 

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