The journal of spinal cord medicine
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Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MIE) is an option for secretion mobilization in outpatients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who lack an effective cough and are at high risk for developing pneumonia. ⋯ Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation was typically prescribed for people with motor-complete tetraplegia. Outpatient MIE usage may reduce respiratory hospitalizations in smokers with SCI. Further research of this alternative, noninvasive method is warranted in the outpatient SCI population.
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The most prominent clinical features of progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity (PER) are painful spasms and rigidity accompanied by clinical signs of brainstem and spinal cord involvement. In initial reports, PER had fatal outcome. Later, clinical improvement related to corticosteroid therapy has been described in some cases. The objective of this study was to signify a reputed clinical significance of corticosteroid therapy in PER. ⋯ For this patient with PER, corticosteroid therapy was a dramatically effective and life-saving treatment, although initiated rather late in the course of the disease.
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Oxidative stress is a mediator of secondary injury to the spinal cord following trauma. ⋯ The present study suggests that LA reduces SCI-induced oxidative stress and exerts neuroprotection by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, and DNA fragmentation.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effects of intravenous sodium amobarbital vs lidocaine on pain and sensory abnormalities in patients with spinal cord injury.
To compare the responses of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in regards to pain and sensory abnormalities to single blinded intravenous (i.v.) infusions of normal saline, sodium amobarbital, and lidocaine. ⋯ In this small study, the analgesic effect of sodium amobarbital and its ability to modify sensory abnormalities appeared superior to that of lidocaine.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Nutrient intake and body habitus after spinal cord injury: an analysis by sex and level of injury.
To examine nutrient intake and body mass index (BMI) in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population according to level of injury and sex. ⋯ Women with paraplegia tended to maintain healthier diets, reflected by lower caloric and fat intakes, fewer key nutrients falling outside recommended guidelines, and less overweight or obesity. Individuals with tetraplegia tended to take in more calories and had higher BMIs, and using adjusted BMI, the majority of the population was overweight or obese. The majority of people with SCI would benefit from nutritional counseling to prevent emerging secondary conditions as the population with SCI ages.