• Surg Neurol · Feb 2005

    Comparative Study

    Traumatic central cord syndrome: analysis of factors affecting the outcome.

    • Tomosato Yamazaki, Kiyoyuki Yanaka, Keishi Fujita, Takao Kamezaki, Kazuya Uemura, and Tadao Nose.
    • Department of Neurosurgery, Ibaraki Seinan Medical Center, Sashima 305-8575, Japan.
    • Surg Neurol. 2005 Feb 1;63(2):95-9; discussion 99-100.

    BackgroundThe indications and timing of treatment, as well as the best treatment method for traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS), remain controversial. The aims of this study are to determine the prognostic factors of traumatic CCS and to determine appropriate surgical indications.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 47 patients with this syndrome. The data collected included age, neurological status as measured on a scale defined by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the spinal canal on computed tomography, signal intensity change of the spinal cord on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), associated spinal diseases, and the type of treatment received. The correspondence between the clinical and radiological findings and the neurological outcome was investigated.ResultsThe patient's age, JOA score on admission, signal intensity change of the spinal cord on MRI, and associated spinal diseases were not significant in predicting the patient's recovery. On the other hand, the AP diameter of the spinal canal (P = .0402) and the interval between injury and surgery (P < .0001) were factors predictive of excellent recovery. In the surgical treatment group, timely surgery was found to improve the outcome, while conservative treatment did not improve the outcome of patients with a low JOA score, a relatively small AP diameter of the spinal canal, or a positive signal intensity change of the spinal cord on T2-weighted MRI.ConclusionThe AP canal diameter of the spinal canal and the interval between injury and surgery may be reliable predictors of excellent recovery in patients with CCS. We recommend timely surgery, preferably within 2 weeks of injury, to achieve a better functional outcome in selected patients.

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