Recovery of motor function in patients with subaxial cervical spine injury relevant to the fracture pattern

Clinical Predictors of Neurological Outcome within 72 h after Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

To investigate the prognostic values of clinical factors 72 h within traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI). Data were extracted from the medical materials of 57 TCSCI cases. AIS was used as the outcome measure and divided into dichotomous variables by two methods, i.e. “complete(AIS = A)/incomplete(AIS ≠ A) SCI” and “motor complete(AIS = A or B)/incomplete(AIS ≠ A and B) SCI”. Relationships between evaluated factors and outcomes were investigated by univariate and multivariate methods. MRI Cord transection (MCT) cases, most significantly related to complete SCIs by univariate analysis (P = 0.006), all showed complete SCIs when discharged, which makes it unsuitable for logistic regression. With MCT cases removed, univariate analysis was conducted again, then logistic regression. At last, only C5 spine injury (P = 0.024, OR = 0.241) was related to complete SCI. Cases with compression flexion injury mechanism (CFIM), most significantly related to motor complete SCIs by univariate analysis (P = 0.001), was also unsuitable for logistic regression for the same reason. At last, C3 spine injury (P = 0.033, OR = 0.068) and high energy injury (P = 0.033, OR = 14.763) were related to motor complete SCIs with CFIM cases removed. The results show that MCT and C5 spine injury are good predictors for complete/incomplete SCIs. CFIM, C3 spine injury and high energy injury are good predictors for motor complete/incomplete SCIs.

Early rehabilitation improves neurofunctional outcome after surgery in children with spinal tumors

To investigate the effect of early rehabilitation on neurofunctional outcome after surgery in children with spinal tumors, this study reviewed the medical charts and radiographic records of 70 pediatric patients (1–17 years old) who received spinal tumor surgical removal. The peddiatric patients received rahabilitation treatment at 4 (range, 2–7) days after surgery for 10 (range, 7–23) days. Results from the Modified McCormick Scale, Functional Independence Measure for Children, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale demonstrated that the sensory function, motor function and activity of daily living of pediatric children who received early rehabilitation were significantly improved. Results also showed that tumor setting and level localization as well as patients's clinical symptoms have no influences on neurofunctional outcomes.