Abordaje de la vía aérea en el paciente neuroquirúrgico / Airway approach in the neurosurgical patient

Resumen: El abordaje de la vía aérea en el paciente neuroquirúrgico presenta grandes retos debido al escenario tan complejo al cual nos enfrentamos; debemos considerar las características propias del paciente, las comorbilidades presentes y la patología neurológica por la que va a ser intervenido. Conocer la patología neurológica y las implicaciones o repercusiones que ésta puede llegar a tener en el manejo de la vía aérea ayudarán a la toma de decisiones y conocer los retos y escenarios que se pudieran presentar durante el evento anestésico-quirúrgico.

Abstract: The approach to the airway in the neurosurgical patient presents great challenges due to the complex scenario we face; we must consider the patient's own characteristics, the co-morbidities present and the neurological pathology for which it is going to be intervened. Knowing the neurological pathology and the implications or repercussions that this may have over the management of the airway will help decision making and manage the challenges and scenarios that could arise during the anesthetic surgical event.

Gunshot injury to spine: An institutional experience of management and complications from a developing country / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Gunshot wounds are the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Surgical intervention for gunshot injury to the spine carries a high rate of complications. There is a scarcity of data on civilian gunshot injuries to the spine in Pakistan. Approximately 60 cases over the last 10 years have been recoded, with unusual presentation and neurological recovery. Thus it is imperative to fill this gap in data, by reviewing cases of civilian gunshot injuries to spine presenting at a tertiary care hospital (Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi).@*METHODS@#This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients of all ages who presented to the emergency department of Aga Khan University Hospital, with gunshot injuries to spine between January 2005 and December 2016 were included in the study. Data were collected on neurological status (American Spinal Injury Association score was used for the initial and follow-up neurological assessment), extent of cord transection, motor and sensory deficits. The patients were further grouped into those with cord transection, and those with fractures of the bony spine but an intact spinal cord. These patients were then followed and the outcomes were recorded.@*RESULTS@#A total of 40 patients were identified. The mean ± SD of patients age was (30.9 ± 9.5) years. Of the 40 patients with gunshot wounds, 31 had the medical imaging performed at the facility, and hence they were included in this categorization. The remaining 9 patients were excluded from this additional grouping. Thirteen patients were managed surgically and 27 patients underwent the conservative management. The mean ± SD of follow-up was (8.7 ± 7.2) months. In our study, the thoracic spine was the most commonly injured region in gunshot injuries. Of the 31 patients with medical imaging performed at our institute, 17 (54.8%) had cord transection, of whom 8 (47%) ultimately developed paraplegia.@*CONCLUSION@#The prognosis of gunshot injuries to the spine can be varied depending on whether the spinal cord is intact or transected. This will help healthcare providers to plan the further management of the patient and counsel them accordingly.

Role of MRI in Evaluation of Compression Fractures

Background: Vertebral compression fractures have a variety of etiologies including trauma, osteoporosis or neoplasm. Osteoporotic compression fractures have prevalence of approximately 25% among postmenopausal women and occurs less frequently in similar aged men. Trauma is most common cause in those younger than 50 years of age. The aim of this study is to evaluate compression fracture in cases of spinal trauma. Aims and objectives: To evaluate compression fractures by magnetic resonance imaging in cases of spinal trauma. To document the spectrum of MRI findings in patients of compression fracture in cases of spinal trauma. To detect additional information about the nature and extent of tissue damage in patients with compression fractures. To study the incidence of injury and MRI morphology of ligaments, spinal cord, intervertebral discs, vertebra and extraspinal soft tissues in patients with compression fractures in cases of spinal trauma. Methods: This study was carried out at Department of Radiology, MGM Medical College and hospital Aurangabad. The study was conducted on 53 patients refereed to department of radiology between May 2018 to September 2019.All scans are done using PHILIPS MULTIVA1.5 tesla MRI system technique with Standard spine coil. Discussion: In our study, 53 patients underwent MRI for evaluation of traumatic compression fractures with majority being males. MRI was helpful in detecting bone marrow edema and was seen in 11 cases. Fractures with vertebral compression generated marrow edema. Most common type of spinal cord injury in our study was cord edema followed by compression. MR imaging is only imaging modality to assess spinal cord injury, to diagnose location and the severity of lesion and to detect cause of spinal cord compression. Conclusions: MRI plays a major role in the diagnosis of SCIs, directing early and prompt management and predicting prognosis of neurological recovery. MR imaging should be considered as primary imaging modality in assessing ligamentous injury. MRI should be recommended in all patients with suspected spinal compression fracture both as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator

Estudo clínico e epidemiológico em cães com fraturas e luxações vertebrais toracolombares / Clinical and epidemiological study in dogs with thoracolumbar vertebrae fractures and luxations

Fraturas e luxações vertebrais (FLV) estão dentre as principais afecções que acometem a coluna vertebral em cães, com elevado risco de danos permanentes às estruturas neurais. Objetivou-se estudar as características e implicações associadas às FLV toracolombares em 37 cães, visando auxiliar uma melhor abordagem clínica em pacientes com esta afecção. As FLV foram mais comuns em machos não castrados com acesso a rua. Dentre a etiologia, 32 cães foram acometidos por acidente automobilístico. 14 cães apresentaram lesões não neurológicas em outros sistemas orgânicos. A presença de fraturas instáveis foi a alteração radiográfica mais comum. Em 16,2% dos animais, observaram-se lesões vertebrais fora do foco principal. O tempo até o atendimento neurológico inicial variou de um a 720 dias, no qual a maioria foi encaminhada sem imobilização externa. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante quanto à recuperação neurológica ao se comparar os graus de deslocamento de 0 a 25% e de 76 a 100%.(AU)

Vertebral fractures and luxations (VFL) are one of the most common and severe neurological issues found in clinical practice, with an elevated risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord. Our objective was to study the characteristics and implications associated with thoracolumbar VFL in 37 dogs, aiming assist a better clinical approach to patients with this disease. The VFL were more common in intact males with access to the street. Regarding etiology, 32 dogs were involved in car accidents. Of the dogs included in this research, 14 had non-neurological issues in other systems. The presence of unstable fractures was the most common radiographic change. In 16.2% of the dogs, vertebral lesions were observed outside the main site. Mean time until initial neurologic exam varied between one and 720 days, and most dogs were referred without external coaptation. There was a significant difference in recovery of the dogs when comparing a degree of dislocation of 0 to 25% and 76 to 100%.(AU)

Lesiones medulares por arma blanca. Presentación de casos clínicos y propuesta de manejo / Spinal cord injuries. Presentation of clinical cases and management proposal

Resumen: Las lesiones raquimedulares producidas por arma blanca son poco frecuentes, pero constituyen hasta un 10% de las lesiones penetrantes espinales. Se presentan tres casos de lesiones raquimedulares causadas por arma blanca, se trata de dos mujeres y un hombre que recibieron agresiones con cuchillos a nivel del dorso. Una lesión fue a nivel torácico y dos a nivel cervical. Se trataba de lesiones medulares incompletas y recibieron un manejo conservador. La evolución fue buena en dos pacientes y mala en uno, que requirió en diferido asistencia respiratoria mecánica y agravó su déficit motor (cuadriparesia a prácticamente una cuadriplejia). En base a estos casos, los autores hacen una revisión del tema y plantean un esquema de manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico para las lesiones raquimedulares penetrantes no causadas por arma de fuego.

Abstract Spinal cord injuries are rare, but constitute up to 10% of spinal penetrating lesions. There are three cases of spinal cord injury, two women and one man who were attacked by knives at the level of the back. One injury was at the thoracic level and two at the cervical level. They were incomplete medullary lesions and received conservative management. The evolution was good in two patients and poor in one, which required a delayed mechanical ventilation and aggravated its motor deficit (quadriparesis to practically a quadriplegia). Based on these cases, the authors make a review of the subject and propose a diagnostic and therapeutic management scheme for penetrating spinal cord injuries not caused by firearms.

Spinal Canal Remodeling in Operated Cases of Thoracolumbar Fractures.

Introduction: Among trauma patients 6% have spinal column injury, half of which have spinal cord or nerve root injury. Road traffic accidents being the most common cause. Burst fractures account for more than half of the thoracolumbar fractures which are treated by various modalities of fixation and decompression. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare direct and indirect surgical decompression of the spinal canal in patients with thoracolumbar fractures with neurodeficit and to compare spinal canal remodeling. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients with thoracolumbar fractures were divided into two groups, Group 1 with direct and Group 2 with indirect decompression. Canal diameters were recorded before and after surgery and at follow-up. The patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months. Both groups will be compared using Student’s paired t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, mode if injury, site of injury, and pre-operative canal diameters. After surgery, mean diameter for G1 1.2 cm (standard deviation [SD] ± 0.03) and G2 1.15 cm (SD ± 0.04) canal diameters improved in both groups with P < 0.05, however among both groups, the P < 0.05 showing that better canal clearance was achieved in G1 than in G2. Diameter at 1 year for G1 1.37 cm (SD ± 0.048) and G1 1.37 cm (SD ± 0.029), though the improvement in canal diameters from post-operative period to 1 year is significant in each group (P value in both groups <0.001), and among groups, the difference is not significant with P > 0.05. Conclusion: The neurological damage in thoracolumbar burst fractures occurs at the precise moment of injury. Furthermore, there is spontaneous remodeling potential of the spinal canal.

Observações clinicocirúrgicas em fraturas e luxações vertebrais toracolombares em cães / Clinical and surgical observations in thoracolumbar spinal fractures and luxations in dogs

Objetivou-se avaliar as implicações e os resultados obtidos frente aos tratamentos conservativo e cirúrgico em 37 cães sem distinção de sexo, raça ou idade, que apresentaram fraturas e luxações vertebrais (FLV) toracolombares. Cada paciente passou por anamnese, seguida por exames clínico, neurológico e radiográficos para se obter o diagnóstico neuroanatômico e a severidade da lesão. Os cães foram submetidos ao tratamento conservativo ou cirúrgico de acordo com as características de cada caso. Dos 37 animais deste estudo, 37,7% tinham percepção de dor profunda (PDP) intacta. Vinte animais foram submetidos ao tratamento conservativo, 14 ao tratamento cirúrgico e três animais faleceram antes do tratamento. Dos animais que mantiveram a PDP intacta, a taxa de recuperação foi de 100%, com tempo de recuperação total variando de sete a 75 dias, ao passo que, dos animais que perderam a PDP, nenhum recuperou a deambulação voluntária. Dos 14 animais operados, 42,8% apresentaram alterações vertebrais não visibilizadas ao exame radiográfico convencional, sendo necessária mudança na técnica cirúrgica planejada em 14,2% desses casos. Nos animais que mantiveram a PDP, não houve diferença significante nas taxas nem no tempo de recuperação da deambulação voluntária, independentemente do tipo de tratamento. Entretanto, houve diferença altamente significante entre os graus que mantiveram a PDP intacta com os animais que perderam a percepção de dor profunda em relação à taxa de recuperação. A taxa de eutanásia foi menor que em outros trabalhos descritos na literatura. Dos animais sem PDP submetidos ao tratamento conservativo ou cirúrgico, 31,25% readquiriram a capacidade de caminhar sem recuperar a PDP, sendo essa deambulação involuntária atribuída ao caminhar espinal.

Our aim of this paper was to study the implications and results associated with conservative and surgical treatment of dogs with thoracolumbar Vertebral fractures and luxations (VFL) so that the information obtained can be used to obtain guidelines that lead to greater recovery rates. For such, 37 dogs presenting VFL were examined, without distinction of sex, breed, or age. Each patient had detailed history obtained, followed by clinical, neurologic and radiographic exams for obtaining neuroanatomic location and severity of the nervous and vertebral lesions. The dogs were submitted to conservative or surgical treatment according to each case. Deep pain perception (DPP) was intact in 37.7% of the 37 dogs in this study. Twenty dogs received conservative treatment, 14 underwent surgery and three dogs died before treatment. Of the dogs with intact DPP, 100% recovered, with a recovery time varying between seven and 75 days, while none of the dogs that lost DPP recovered voluntary motion. Of the 14 dogs submitted to surgery, 42.8% had vertebral lesions that weren't detected using conventional radiography, which demonstrates the low sensitivity of this exam, and led to a need for a change in the planned surgical technique in 14.2% of these cases. In dogs with intact DPP there was no significant difference in time or rate of recovery of voluntary motion, regardless of the treatment method. However, there was a highly significant difference between the dogs which retained and lost DPP regarding recovery rates. The percentage of euthanasia was less than in other reports, probably due to the greater awareness and protectiveness of owners nowadays. Of the dogs without DPP treated either surgically or conservatively, 31.25% recovered ambulation without recovery of DPP, characterizing this ambulation as involuntary, attributed to spinal walk.

Research on clinical value comparison of applying CT and MRI in the diagnosis of spinal trauma / 中国医学装备

Objective:To explore and study the clinical values of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of spinal trauma. Methods: One hundred patients with spinal trauma in our hospital were selected as the study objects and randomly divided them into 2 groups, 50 cases in each group. The control group was diagnosed by CT, the experimental group was diagnosed by MRI. Results: The efficacy of CT(control group) on fracture line and fracture flat shift was better than experimental group, but in the aspect of spinal cord injury, ligamentous injury and soft tissue injury, experimental group(MRI) was more sensitive than control group(x2=4.0, P<0.05), differences between 2 groups were statistically significant. Conclusion:Every coin has 2 sides, so as to applying CT and MRI in the diagnosis of spinal trauma, but the accuracy to overall spinal trauma of experimental group is higher. Furthermore, it can avoid misdiagnosing with spinal trauma that applying combined CT and MRI, it is worthy of being widely recommended in clinic.

Uso de imágenes diagnósticas en trauma raquimedular / Imaging approach in spine trauma patients

El trauma de la columna vertebral trae implicaciones serias tanto para la morbimortalidad del paciente como para el sistema de salud, por lo cual es necesario conocer el enfoque diagnóstico por imágenes, ya que este es fundamental para el manejo de los pacientes. Para ello se debe recordar la anatomía, la biomecánica de la columna y entender muy bien los mecanismos del trauma, ya que de esto dependen las indicaciones de los exámenes radiológicos pertinentes. [Ortiz CJ. Uso de imágenes diagnósticas en trauma raquimedular UNAB 2011; 14:22-31].

The trauma of the spine brings serious implications for the morbimortality of patients and the health system, making it necessary to know the imaging approach, as this is critical to the patient management. For these reason you must remember the anatomy, biomechanics of the spine and understand the mechanisms and causes of the trauma, as this depends on the indications of the relevant radiologic exams. [Ortiz CJ. Imaging approach in spine trauma patients. UNAB 2011; 14:22-31].

Variations in Practice Patterns among Neurosurgeons and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the Management of Spinal Disorders

STUDY DESIGN: This is a case series. PURPOSE: We wanted to identify variations in the practice patterns among neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons for the management of spinal disorders. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Spinal disorders are common in the clinical practice of both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. It has been observed that despite the availability of various guidelines, there is lack of consensus among surgeons about the management of various disorders. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed, either directly or via e-mail, to the both the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who worked at 5 tertiary care centers within a single region of Korea. The surgeons were working either in private practice or in academic institutions. The details of the questionnaire included demographic details and the specialty (orthopedic/neurosurgeon). The surgeons were classified according to the level of experience as up to 5 years, 6-10 years and > 10 years. Questions were asked about the approach to lumbar discectomy (fragmentectomy or aggressive disc removal), using steroids for treating discitis, the fusion preference for spondylolisthesis, the role of an orthosis after fusion, the preferred surgical approach for spinal stenosis, the operative approach for spinal trauma (early within 72 hours or late > 72 hours) and the role of surgery in complete spinal cord injury. The data was analyzed using SPSS ver 16. p-values < 0.05 were considered to be significant. RESULTS: Of the 30 surgeons who completed the questionnaire, 20 were neurosurgeons and 10 were orthopedic surgeons. Statistically significant differences were observed for the management of spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, using an orthosis after fusion, the type of lumbar discectomy and the value of surgical intervention after complete spinal cord injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there continues to exist a statistically significant lack of consensus among neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons when considering using an orthosis after fusion, the type of discectomy and the value of intervention after complete spinal injury.

Traumatismo raquimedular por ferimento de projétil de arma de fogo: avaliação epidemiológica / Traumatismo raquimedular por herida de un proyectil de arma de fuego: la evaluación epidemiológica / Spinal cord trauma by a firearm projectile: epidemiological assessment

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de trauma raquimedular causado por projétil de arma de fogo nos pacientes atendidos no pronto socorro de um hospital de Curitiba (PR). MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, realizado no período de fevereiro de 2005 a julho de 2008, incluindo todos os pacientes, vitimas de lesão na coluna vertebral causada por projétil de arma de fogo (n = 54). RESULTADOS: A grande maioria dos pacientes acometidos é do sexo masculino e em idade produtiva, com média de 27,18 anos. O segmento mais afetado foi a coluna torácica, com ferimentos transfixantes e lesão ASIA A (lesão completa). A maioria dos casos foi tratada de forma conservadora. O período da semana em que houve maior incidência foi o fim e semana, com predomínio do sábado e da sexta-feira. O motivo mais comum foi assalto. CONCLUSÃO: São lesões com alto impacto no custo de saúde pública e de previdência, uma vez que são lesões de alta taxa de morbidade e acometimento predominante de pessoas em faixa etária produtiva.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of spinal cord injury caused by firearm projectile in patients admitted to the emergency room of a hospital in Curitiba (PR). METHODS: This retrospective study from February 2005 to July 2008 including all victims of spinal injury caused by firearm projectile (n=54). The data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: The vast majority of patients are male and of working age, with an average of 27.18 years. The thoracic spine was the most affected segment, with transfixing injury and ASIA A (complete lesion). Most cases were treated conservatively. The period of the week where there was a higher incidence was the weekend, mostly on Saturday and Friday. The most common reason was armed robbery. CONCLUSION: These are lesions with a high impact on the cost of public health and social security, as are injuries that result in high morbidity and involve predominantly people in the productive age group.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la incidencia del traumatismo raquimedular causado por proyectil de arma de fuego en pacientes atendidos en la sala de emergencias de un hospital en Curitiba (Paraná). MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, realizado en el período de febrero 2005 a julio de 2008, incluyendo a todos los pacientes víctimas de lesión medular en la columna vertebral causada por un proyectil de arma de fuego (n = 54 pacientes). RESULTADOS: La gran mayoría de los pacientes son varones y en edad de trabajar, con un promedio de 27,18 años. El sector más afectado ha sido la columna torácica, con heridas transfixiantes y ASIA A (lesión medular completa). La mayoría de los casos fue tratada de forma conservadora. El período de la semana, donde había una mayor incidencia fue el fin de semana, con predominio del sábado y el viernes. La razón más frecuente fue por asalto. CONCLUSIÓN: Se trata de lesiones con un alto impacto en el costo de la salud pública y la Seguridad Social, considerando que son lesiones con una alta tasa de morbilidad y afectan predominante a personas en el grupo de edad productiva.

A Comparative Study of Management of Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries with Neurological Deficit by Steffee Plating and Conservative Method.

In a prospective study conducted in the Postgraduate Department of Orthopaedics Govt. Medical College, Jammu, over a period of 2 years. Forty cases, both male and female in the age group of 20 to 50 years with thoracolumbar spinal injury between D11 and L2 vertebra with neurological deficit were included . Out of these forty cases, 20 cases were managed by posterior decompression and stabilization with Steffee plating and 20 cases of similar injuries were managed conservatively and comparison of the two groups was made. The results were analyzed according to neurological improvement as per Frankel's grading, the complications and the duration of hospital stay in both the groups. In operative group; 50% of the patients showed some degree of recovery with 30% of the patients showed full recovery. The mean postoperative correction of kyphosis was 12.5% and the average hospital stay was 23.7days. 15% of the patients in operated group developed complications. In the conservative group; 30% of the total patients showed neurological recovery with 20 % patients showed significant recovery (Grade D). There were various complications in 65% patients and the average hospital stay was recorded as 40.5 days. General complications were more in conservative group. In view of increased incidence of neurological recovery, decreased incidence of complications, decrease in hospital stay and ease of nursing care in case of operated group, we recommend posterior spinal fixation with Steffee plate system in patients with unstable dorsolumbar spinal fractures especially with incomplete neurological deficit to be adopted in oprative practise.

A Case of Spinal Epidural Abscess Caused by Sreptococcus pneumoniae / 감염과화학요법

Pneumonia and meningitis are the most frequent manifestations of pneumococcal infections. Pneumococcal spinal epidural abscesses have been rarely reported. Spinal epidural abscess by Streptococcus pneumoniae has been diagnosed among the patients with diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, corticosteroid therapy, intravenous drug use, chronic renal failure, AIDS, and history of spinal surgery. Recently, we experienced a case of pneumococcal spinal epidural abscess after spinal trauma. A 36-year-old male patient was admitted with back pain, fever, and paraplegia which occurred 5 days after the trauma. Spine MRI revealed spinal epidural abscess at the level from T2 to T9. He was treated with antimicrobial agents and surgical exploration for spinal epidural abscess. Pus culture grew S. pneumoniae which was susceptible to penicillin. Despite early surgical treatment, neurologic sequelae remained. Considering the high mortality and morbidity of pneumococcal spinal epidural abscess, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment including surgical intervention and antibiotics therapy should be implemented immediately.

A Case of Spinal Epidural Abscess Caused by Sreptococcus pneumoniae / 감염과화학요법

Pneumonia and meningitis are the most frequent manifestations of pneumococcal infections. Pneumococcal spinal epidural abscesses have been rarely reported. Spinal epidural abscess by Streptococcus pneumoniae has been diagnosed among the patients with diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, corticosteroid therapy, intravenous drug use, chronic renal failure, AIDS, and history of spinal surgery. Recently, we experienced a case of pneumococcal spinal epidural abscess after spinal trauma. A 36-year-old male patient was admitted with back pain, fever, and paraplegia which occurred 5 days after the trauma. Spine MRI revealed spinal epidural abscess at the level from T2 to T9. He was treated with antimicrobial agents and surgical exploration for spinal epidural abscess. Pus culture grew S. pneumoniae which was susceptible to penicillin. Despite early surgical treatment, neurologic sequelae remained. Considering the high mortality and morbidity of pneumococcal spinal epidural abscess, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment including surgical intervention and antibiotics therapy should be implemented immediately.

Application of MR Fat Saturation Sequence in Acute Spinal Trauma / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To further study the value of MR T2WI fat saturation sequence in acute Spinal Trauma. Methods 109 cases of acute Spinal Trauma underwent MR imaging were analysed retrospectively. The detection rate of lesions with bone marrow edema, Vertebral fracture and spinal cord injury was compared in T2WI and FS T2WI. Results FS T2WI could detect more lesions of obscure fracture and bone marrow edema than that in T2WI,and it could accurately show the extent and the feature of anatomic structure in acute injury of bone. Conclusion FS T2WI can improve the diagnostic sensition and accuracy in Spinal Trauma, and it should be used as a routine MR sequence for detecting Spinal Trauma.

Application of Digital Mobile X-ray Photography System / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To search a kind ofphotograph system which can be confirmed immediately to photograph a picture after expose and never needed to carry on a dark box again to replace or the IP plank read. Methods Pass to usher in a DaoJin company numeral to turn to move the type X line to photograph system to carry out. Results The DR bedside photographs to photograph with CR bedside to compare, saved time, raised picture resolution and quality, lowered a sufferer to hurt and saved a luck camp cost. Conclusion Carried out to photograph a picture after expose can immediately get confirmation, have never need is carry on a dark box to replace or the IP plank read.

Abordagem pelo urologista da sexualidade no lesado raquimedular

The authors address to urologists who manage patients with spinal trauma and urinary tract dysfunction on the importance to pay attention also to patients' sexuality. Sexual activity recovery should be pursued through the search of erotic areas , excitement and response to the sexual desire.

Os autores enfatizam a necessidade do médico urologista, que faz atendimento do paciente lesado raquimedular com disfunção genitourinária, ter atenção também ao aspecto da sexualidade do paciente. A orientação deve ser voltada para a reabilitação sexual através da busca da exitação, da procura de áreas erógenas no corpo e a resposta ao desejo sexual.

Significance of MRI Cord Signal Patterns in Acute Spinal Trauma / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In the diagnosis of acute spinal trauma, meticulous physical examination and history taking is the most important tool and auxilliary support support can be given by plain X-ray, CT or myelography, etc. But these cannot show the state of cord injury directly. On the contrary, MRI shows the cord directly as well as the soft and bony tissues. We analysed retrospectively 39 patients who suffered from acute spinal trauma at the level of cervical and thoracic spine and had their spine MRI taken. We verified the meaningful correlation between the signal change in the spinal cord on MRI and the degree of neurologic deficit and prognosis, using Frankel classification and trauma motor index at the time of admission and the final follow-up.

Biodynamics of the Total Human Cadaveric

Spinal trauma produced from motor vehicle accidents, diving accidents, or falls occur at high rates of loading. This study was undertaken to reproduce clinically relevant cervical spine injuries under controlled conditions. Six isolated head-T2 human cadaveric preparations were tested using an electrohydraulic piston actuator at loading rates from 295 to 813 cm/sec. The Hybrid III head-neck was tested similarly at rates from 401 to 683 cm/sec. The input forces for specimen tests were of higher magnitude and shorter duration than the distally measured forces. In contrast, the Hybrid III head-neck revealed similar magnitude and duration force traces from input to output. The specimen preparations were analyzed kinematically at 1200 frame/sec with 20 to 30 retroreflective targets fixed to each level of the cervical spine. With this technique it is possible to temporally follow cervical damage as a function of applied forces. Wedge, burst, and anterior compression fractures were documented using CT and cryosectioning techniques. This pathology can be evaluated quantitatively using the target analysis. For example, a burst fracture occurred suddenly and 2.5 msec, whereas wedge fractures were progressive and took 4 to 5 msec to occur.