Spinal cord
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Case Reports
Regression of vasomotor disorders under intrathecal baclofen in a case of spastic paraplegia.
Continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion via a subcutaneously implanted programmable pump has been used in the treatment of severe spasticity. Improvement classically concerns the neurological (hypertonia, spasms, hyperreflexia), urological (bladder function) and other clinically relevant outcomes, such as functional status of daily living. This short note reports on another effect of intrathecal baclofen on vasomotor disorders and cyanosis in the lower limbs, described in a patient with spastic paraplegia.
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Case Reports Clinical Trial
The effect of Lipo prostaglandin E1 on cauda equina blood flow in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis: myeloscopic observation.
Myeloscopic examination was performed to observe the cauda equina in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis before and after treatment with Lipo prostaglandin E1, a strong peripheral vasodilator. ⋯ Results of this study suggest that Lipo prostaglandin E1 may enhance blood flow in the cauda equina and improve clinical symptoms in some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
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The functional outcome of the diaphragm after acute spinal cord injury was reviewed over a 16 year period for 107 patients who had required assisted ventilation in the acute phase. ⋯ Twenty-one per cent of the patients with initial diaphragm paralysis were ultimately able to breathe independently after 4 and 14 months, whilst a further 15% had some diaphragm recovery. Phrenic nerve testing should be repeated at 3 monthly intervals for the first year after high tetraplegia.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
Analysis of the cervical spine alignment following laminoplasty and laminectomy.
Very little detailed biomechanical examination of the alignment of the cervical spine following laminoplasty has been reported. We performed a comparative study regarding the buckling-type alignment that follows laminoplasty and laminectomy to know the mechanical changes in the alignment of the cervical spine. Lateral images of plain roentgenograms of the cervical spine were put into a computer and examined using a program we developed for analysis of the buckling-type alignment. ⋯ Development of the buckling-type alignment was found in 33% of patients following laminectomy and only 6% after laminoplasty. Development of buckling-type alignment following laminoplasty appeared markedly less than following laminectomy in both CSM and OPLL patients. These results favor laminoplasty over laminectomy from the aspect of mechanics.
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To determine current practice regarding assessment and management of patients with chronic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI) in the UK. ⋯ Our survey has demonstrated the uncertainty that exists amongst specialists dealing with pain after SCI, and emphasised the need for more research into the problem.