Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Enhances Recovery in Central Cord Syndrome Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on neurological and functional recovery in patients with central cord syndrome (CCS) involving the upper extremities between the treated and non-treated sides of the treated group and whether the outcomes are comparable to that of the untreated control group. METHODS: Nineteen CCS patients were treated with high-frequency (20 Hz) rTMS over the motor cortex for 5 days. The stimulation side was randomly selected, and all the subjects received conventional occupational therapy during the rTMS-treatment period. Twenty CCS patients who did not receive rTMS were considered as controls. Clinical assessments, including those by the International Standard for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury, the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and the O'Connor Finger Dexterity Test were performed initially and followed up for 1 month after rTMS treatment or 5 weeks after initial assessments. RESULTS: The motor scores for upper extremities were increased and the number of improved cases was greater for the treated side in rTMS-treated patients than for the non-treated side in rTMS-treated patients or controls. The improved cases for writing time and score measured on the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test were also significantly greater in number on the rTMS-treated side compared with the non-treated side and controls. There were no adverse effects during rTMS therapy or the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The results of the application of high-frequency rTMS treatment to CCS patients suggest that rTMS can enhance the motor recovery and functional fine motor task performance of the upper extremities in such individuals.

Myelopathy Caused by Surfing

No abstract available.

Significance of SCIWORA in adults / Significância da SCIWORA em adultos / Trascendencia del cuadro SCIWORA en adultos

Recognizing the importance of SCIWORA in adult age; analyze the usefulness of complementary studies; evaluating therapeutic options; learn about the evolution of the treated patients.

Reconhecer a importância de SCIWORA na idade adulta; analisar a utilidade dos estudos complementares; avaliar as opções terapêuticas; conhecer a evolução dos pacientes tratados.

Reconocer la importancia de SCIWORA en la edad adulta; analizar la utilidad de los estudios complementarios; evaluar las opciones terapéuticas; conocer la evolución de los pacientes tratados.

The Prognostic Factors of Neurologic Recovery in Spinal Cord Injury

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the factors affecting recovery of spinal cord injury following cervical and thoracolumbar spine injuries. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Several authors have reported the factors to predict the prognosis of spinal cord injury, but the objective prognostic factors are still controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2006 to March 2013, a total of 44 patients with spinal cord injury were evaluated. Prognostic factors analyzed were sex, age, neurologic status, fracture type, time to operation, use of steroid, and signal change on MRI. We analyzed the relation between each factor and the neurologic recovery. The mean follow-up period was 12 months. The neurologic recovery was analyzed by the ASIA impairment scale at the first and the last neurologic examination. RESULTS: Among 44 patients, 15 sustained complete cord injury while 29 had incomplete cord injury. Significant neurologic recovery using the ASIA impairment scale was evaluated in the incomplete spinal cord injury group. Among this group, the prognosis for Brown-sequard syndrome is better than for central cord syndrome and anterior cord syndrome. There was no significant difference in other factors (fracture site, time to operation, use of steroid or signal change on MRI). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis in spinal cord injury is determined by the initial neurologic damage and neurologic recovery is not related with the fracture type, time to operation, use of steroid and signal change on MRI.

Neurologic and Functional Outcomes after Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the direction for treatment and to evaluate factors influencing improvement by comparison of neurologic and functional outcomes of surgical treatment and conservative treatment for traumatic central cord syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients, who were available for follow-up for at least more than one year from January 2005 to December 2008, who were diagnosed as traumatic central cord syndrome were analyzed retrospectively. Fifteen patients underwent surgical treatment (group 1), and 13 patients received conservative treatment (group 2). Maximum canal compromise (MCC), and maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC) were used for radiologic assessment, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and neck disability index (NDI) were used for assessment of functional outcomes. RESULTS: The mean MCC was 47.2%, mean MSCC was 20.0%, and mean ASIA motor scale was 92.0 (group 1: 92.9, group 2: 90.9) at the final follow-up. The mean JOA score was 12.8 (group 1: 14.0, group 2: 11.4) and mean NDI was 25.0 (group 1: 25.7, group 2: 24.3) at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that if a patient with traumatic central cord syndrome is young, with a high energy injury combined with fractures, and has severe spinal compression and mild initial neurologic defect, early surgical treatment would be needed as soon as possible.

Seropositive Neuromyelitis Optica imitating an Intramedullary Cervical Spinal Cord Tumor: Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature

A 44-year-old woman with progressive cervical myelopathy and central cord syndrome was noted to have an extensive cervical intramedullary contrast-enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesion resembled a spinal astrocytoma or ependymoma that required surgical intervention. She was subsequently diagnosed to have neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorder, when the clinical examination revealed left optic atrophy. This was confirmed by a test showing seropositivity for NMO-immunoglobulin (IgG). Disease control was achieved with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy. We report a rare case of a patient with NMO who had MRI features that could have easily led to the condition being misdiagnosed as a spinal cord tumor. The importance of careful history taking, awareness of typical radiological findings and the usefulness of serum NMO-IgG as a diagnostic tool are emphasized.

Predictores en el cuadro SCIWORA del adulto / Preditores no quadro SCIWORA do adulto / Predictors in adult SCIWORA

OBJETIVOS: Analizar cinemática, reconocer cuadro clínico de presentación, describir imágenes, considerar posibilidades terapéuticas y evaluar evolución. MÉTODO: Se analizan 13 pacientes del sexo masculino que presentaron SCIWORA (en inglés Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality) entre el 2005 al 2012. Se evalúan cuadro clínico, tratamiento, complicaciones y evolución. RESULTADOS: 10 pacientes mayores de 45 años presentaban signos de espondiloartrosis con mínimos síntomas. De los tres menores de esta edad solo uno presentaba estenosis de canal constitucional asintomática. Todos sufrieron trauma de baja energía. En la resonancia magnética prevaleció el hematoma intramedular y clínicamente todos los pacientes presentaban un síndrome medular central, con cuadro severo (ASIA A-B) en los mayores de 45 años. Siete pacientes fueron tratados inicialmente en forma conservadora; un paciente empeoró y tuvo que ser sometido a intervención quirúrgica 18 meses después y otro falleció en las primeras horas, el resto de los pacientes tuvieron buena evolución. Seis pacientes requirieron cirugía (laminoplastía) en los primeros 10 días; tres fallecieron y el resto mejoro por lo menos un nivel ASIA. CONCLUSIONES: La menor edad, los cuadros leves y el edema intramedular son factores de buen pronóstico y se ven favorecidos con el tratamiento conservador. La mayor edad, la espondiloartrosis y los cuadros severos o progresivos, son factores de mal pronóstico y puede ser necesario su tratamiento quirúrgico.

OBJETIVOS: Análise cinemática, reconhecer apresentação clínica, descrever imagens, considerar as possibilidades terapêuticas e avaliar a evolução. MÉTODO: Análise de 13 pacientes do sexo masculino com SCIWORA (em ingles Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality) entre 2005 e 2012. Avalia-se quadro clínico, tratamento, complicações e resultado. RESULTADOS: Dez pacientes com mais de 45 anos apresentaram sinais de espondiloartrose com sintomas mínimos. Dos três pacientes com menos de 45 anos, apenas um tinha estenose de canal constitucional assintomática. Todos haviam sofrido trauma de baixa energia. Na ressonância magnética prevaleceu hematoma intramedular e clinicamente todos os pacientes com mais de 45 anos tinham síndrome medular central grave (ASIA A-B). Sete pacientes foram inicialmente tratados de forma conservadora; um paciente piorou e teve que ser submetido a cirurgia 18 meses depois e outro morreu nas primeiras horas, o restante teve bom desempenho. Seis pacientes necessitaram de cirurgia (laminoplastia) nos primeiros 10 dias; três morreram e os pacientes restantes melhoraram pelo menos um nível ASIA. CONCLUSÕES: A idade mais baixa, os casos não graves e o edema intramedular são bons fatores prognósticos e são favorecidos pelo tratamento conservador. A idade mais elevada, a espondiloartrose e os quadros graves ou progressivos, são fatores de mau prognóstico e podem necessitar de tratamento cirúrgico.

OBJECTIVES: Kinematic analysis, recognize the clinical presentation, describe image tests, consider therapeutic possibilities and assess progress. METHOD: Analysis of 13 male patients with SCIWORA (Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality) between 2005 and 2012. Evaluates clinical presentation, treatment, complications and outcome. RESULTS: 10 patients over 45 years showed signs of spondyloarthritis with minimal symptoms. Of the three with less than 45 years, only one had a constitutional asymptomatic stenosis. All had suffered low-energy trauma. In the magnetic resonance prevailed intramedullary haematoma and clinically all patients over 45 years had a central cord syndrome with severe symptoms (ASIA A-B). Seven patients were initially treated conservatively; one patient worsened and had to undergo surgery after 18 months and another died in the early hours; the remaining patients had good performance. Six patients required surgery (laminoplasty) in the first 10 days; three died and the remaining patients improved at least one ASIA level. CONCLUSIONS: The lower age, the mild cases and intramedullary edema are good prognostic factors and are favored by conservative treatment. The higher age, spondyloarthritis and severe or progressive conditions are factors of poor prognosis and may require surgical treatment.

Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome: Early Decompression or Not?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of the patients with acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) who were managed between early surgical treatment and conservative treatment. METHODS: Between March 2004 and May 2007, 45 patients with ATCCS were treated. 27 patients were treated surgically and 18 patients were treated conservatively. Early decompressive surgery was performed within 24 hours after the trauma in all surgical patients. All patients were admitted within 8 hours of injury and high-dose methylprednisolone was administered. The clinical and radiological data were collected for each patient. RESULTS: The significant improvement of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score was achieved within the first 6 months of the surgery. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the surgical and conservatively treated patients at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-ups. However, there were no statistically significant differences of the improvements between two groups at 1 year. The ASIA score improvement had a positive correlation with the age at injury. The patients who were older than 65 years at injury showed statistically lower motor improvement than the patients who were younger than 65 years. The lengths of hospital stay were significantly shorter in patients with surgical treatments (p<0.05) than those in patients without surgery. CONCLUSION: Comparing with conservative treatment, early surgical decompression may be associated with rapid neurologic improvement, early mobilization, and shorter periods of hospitalization.

A Case of Central Cord Syndrome Related Status Epilepticus: A Case Report

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is extremely rare as a direct consequence of generalized epileptic seizure. CCS is associated with hyperextension of the spinal cord and has characteristic radiologic findings including posterior ligamentous injury and prevertebral hyperintensity following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We experienced the case of a 25-year-old man who suffered CCS after status epilepticus. Cervical spinal MRI revealed high signal intensity at the C1 level but with no signal or structural changes in other sites. After rehabilitation management, the patient significantly improved on the ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) motor scale and bladder function. We proposed that epilepsy related CCS may be caused by muscle contractions during generalized seizure, which can induce traction injury of the spinal cord or relative narrowing of spinal canal via transient herniated nucleus pulposus or transient subluxation of vertebra. We also suggest CCS without radiologic findings of trauma has good prognosis compared with other CCS.

Therapeutic effect of staged surgery for central cord syndrome of the cervical spine / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of staged surgical treatment on central cord syndrome of the cervical spine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted in 36 cases of central cord syndrome of the cervical spine treated with staged surgery. The patients (aged 50 to 79 years, mean 56.9 years) were divided into group A (50 to 64 years old, n=20) and group B (above 65 years old, n=16), and each group was further divided into 2 subgroups according to the range of decompression in the second stage, namely A1, B1 and A2, B2. ASIA motor score (AMS) was analyzed before the first-stage surgery, before the second-stage surgery and at the last follow-up after the second-stage surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the surgeries were performed successfully. The patients were followed up for 12 to 32 months (mean 18.4 months) after the second-stage surgery. After the first-stage surgery, the AMS was 75.8-/+14.6 in group A, 73.2-/+13.1 in group B, 78.5-/+10.2 in group A1, 76.8-/+9.5 in group A2, 72.2-/+12.6 in group B1 and 77.4-/+18.3 in group B2. The AMS at the last follow-up was 90.7-/+10.5 in group A, 89.5-/+12.4 in group B, 91.3-/+13.2 in group A1, 90.7-/+14.8 in group A2, 88.5-/+11.2 in group B1 and 92.4-/+13.6 in group B2. There was no significant difference between groups A and B or between the subgroups A1 and A2 and groups B1 and group B2. The AMS was 75.8-/+14.6 after the first-stage surgery and 90.7-/+10.5 at the last follow-up in group A, significantly higher than those in group B (73.2-/+13.1 and 89.5-/+12.4, respectively, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Staged surgery is effective for treatment of central cord syndrome of the cervical spine, and the effect of the surgery is not related to the patients' age or the range of decompression.</p>

Single Symptom of 'Pure' Mechano-allodynia Secondary to Acute Herniated Cervical Disc: A case report

Allodynia is pain following a non-noxious stimuli which does not provoke pain normally and develops after incomplete spinal cord injury more commonly in cervical rather than thoracic level, and central cord syndrome. This article presents an unusual patient who presented with the single symptom of an intense allodynia after cervical intervertebral disc herniation. This 36-year-old male patient developed acute lancinating and burning pain aggravated by skimming light touch on both thenar area. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed central disc herniation and spinal cord compression. The allodynia secondary to acute herniated cervical disk has been successfully disappeared through pharmacotherapy with pulsed-use of steroid, gabapentin and comprehensive rehabilitation.

Distractive Atlantoaixial Dislocation / 대한척추외과학회지

Atlantoaxial dislocations usually present with fatal brain injury, but rarely with clinical problems. With the development of newer imaging techniques, as well as improved preoperative and perioperative care, the likelihood of survival from an atlantoaxial dislocation has increased. Survivors usually suffer incomplete neurological deficits, including Brown-Sequard syndrome or central cord syndrome. The authors describe a distractive atlantoaxial dislocation, with neurological sequelae, in a younger patient who had been involved in a car accident. This case was treated surgically, but the patient suffered paraplegia due to thoracic myelopathy.

Central Cord Syndrome Developed in Patients with Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Clinical Features and Functional Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a degenerative disorder of the spine which is related to cervical compressive myelopathy. We studied patients with central cord syndrome (CCS) to explore the implication of OPLL on clinical features and functional outcomes of CCS. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted on 26 patients with CCS between 1998 and 2003. Demographic characteristics, mechanisms of injury, neurological impairments, main functional outcomes, and complications were identified. Clinical features and outcomes were compared between OPLL and non-OPLL group. RESULTS: Twenty patients with CCS had OPLL (12/17 with traumatic and 8/9 with non-traumatic CCS). The initial ASIA motor score of OPLL and non-OPLL patients was 67.8 and 65.3 and, at discharge, 82.8 and 78.5. There were no significant differences in gait, bladder management, length of stay, discharge disposition, and major complications between OPLL and non-OPLL group. Among OPLL patients, non- traumatic CCS patients showed higher ASIA motor score at discharge and had a tendency of better functional outcome than traumatic CCS patients. CONCLUSION: OPLL was commonly observed in CCS patients. Mechanism of injury rather than the presence of OPLL was a significant determinant of clinical features or functional outcomes of CCS.

The Role of MRI in Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality

PURPOSE: Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) usually has been documented in pediatric patients. We report 8 cases of SCIWORA in adult and evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of MRI in SCIWORA. METHODS: We retrospectively studied adult patients who presented to the emergency room of a tertiary army hospital with SCIWORA, from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2002. We reviewed the patient 's medical records, plain films, CT and MRI findings. RESULTS: There were 8 patients of SCIWORA during 2 years. Major mechanisms of injuries were sports-related injury (62.5%) and fall (25%). They presented with central cord syndrome (62.5%), Brown-Sequard syndrome (12.5%), monoparesis (12.5%), and sensory symptom only (12.5%). All patients were checked with MRI and five patients (62.5%) showed abnormal MRI findings including spinal cord hemorrhage, edema, and disc herniation. All patients received megadose methylprednisolone therapy, and three underwent operations. Patients, who had been recovering at the time of admission to our ER, had normal MRI findings, and all patients with normal MRI findings had full neurological recovery within 3 days. Only two patients had neurological sequelae, and their MRI findings were spinal cord hemorrhage and herniated disc with cord compression, respectively. CONCLUSION: SCIWORA in adults, even though rare, exists, and MR imaging findings determine treatment plan and neurological outcome of patients.

Functional Recovery of Patients with Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing the degree of neurological injury, show the natural course of recovery, and evaluate the relationship between degree of neurological injury and functional recovery from traumatic central cord syndrome. METHOD: We reviewed 15 patients retrospectively and investigated their demographic and treatment data. Initial ASIA motor scales and functional recovery at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injury were analyzed. RESULTS: The age of patients showed significant correlation with degree of neurological injury (r= 0.55145, p<0.05) while mechanism of injury, surgical intervention and gender difference showed no correlation. Only 2 patients (13.3%) ambulated independently at initial period but subsequently 13 patients (86.7%) at 8 weeks. The number of patients who independently voided increased from 2 (13.3%) to 11 (73.3%) during the 8 weeks. Early ASIA motor score differed significantly according to the degree of functional recovery of bladder and ambulation in 4 weeks, 8 weeks after injury (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Only the age of patients related to the initial neurologic severity. Most patients regained their bladder and ambulatory functions considerably within 8 weeks, and the degree of early neurological injury by ASIA motor scale reflected the degree of functional recovery in 4 and 8 weeks after injury.

Surgical Treatment of Lower Cervical Spine Injury / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We designed this study to evaluate the incidence of spinal cord injury and the results of surgical treatment of lower cervical spine injury, and to suggest a rational treatment guideline according to the stages of Allen's mechanistic classification of the lower cervical spine injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and roentgenograms of 66 patients (49 men and 17 women), who were treated surgically for acute fracture and dislocation of the lower cervical spine since March. 1991 to March. 1996. These patients ranged in age from 17 to 68 years (average age- 38 years). We used Allen's mechanistic classification to analyze fractures in the lower cervical spine injury. We divided neurologic status by complete, incomplete, root injury and no neurologic deficit group, Surgical treatment was performed for those with unstable fracture/dislocation, progressive neurologic deficit with conservative care, neurologic deficit with spinal cord compression by fracture fragment or extruded disc material. Surgical approach was determined according to the site of lesion. We analyzed the surgical treatment results according to neurologic recovery, radiologic bone union and complications, We used chisquare test for statistical analysis of neurologic improvement between the different surgical treatments. RESULTS: Twenty-nine cases were distractive-flexion (DF) phylogeny, 19 cases were compressive-flexion (CF), 2 cases were vertical-compression (VC), 8 cases were compressive-extension (CE), and 8 cases were distractive-extension (DE) phylogeny. For definitive surgical treatments we performed anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in 25, ACDF with anterior stabilizaiton in 30, posterior fusion in 5, and circumferential fusion in 6. There was no neurologic recovery in complete cord injury. There were 32 cases of incomplete cord injury all 8 anterior cord syndromes had no neurologic recovery, among 22 patients with central cord syndrome 18 had neurolgic recovery in various degrees and 2 with Brown-Seguard syndrome showed significant neurologic recovery. In nerve root injury, all patients had complete neurologic recovery. There was no radiologic nonunion at all and it took 10.3 weeks in average for radiologic bone union. There were neurogenic bladder, bed sore, local kyphosis, duodenal ulcer, respiratory infection, persistent neck pain and superficial wound infection in complications. Summary and CONCLUSIONS: In extension (CE, DE) injuries with neurologic deficit, anterior approach should be recommended because the major pathology is located in the anterior structure of the cervical spine. In flexion (DF and CF) injuries with major posterior osteoligamentous disruption, posterior approach could fix the posterior structures. Anterior decompression and fusion should be followed whenever anterior pathology is compressing the spinal cord or nerve root. Posterior open reduction and fusion is necessary whenever there is unreduced facet joint dislocation with or with out neurologic deficit. To prevent the late local kyphosis and persistent neurologic deficit with neck pain after prolonged external immobilization with ACDF, anterior stabilization with a plate and screw system is necessary to augment the surgical treatment of the unstable lower cervical spine injury which necessitates anterior decompression.

Central Cord Syndrome after Standing of Head in a Child: A Case Report

The following report is a case of central cord syndrome in a seven-year-old girl. There was no history of major trauma except instances of standing on her head. Plain x-rays and CT myelography of the cervical spine revealed no abnormalities. Although she was apneic for 12 days and quadriparetic, the patient recovered and was able to walk on the 24th hospital day. Since central cord syndrome as a result of standing on head is unusual in children with a normal cervical spine, the arthors decided to report the above described case for medical interest.

Atlanto-Axial Dislocation with Odontoid Process Fracture Associated with "Cruciate Paralysis"

Cruciate paralysis, an unusual clinical entity, is "frequently undiagnosed or misunderstood", and can simulate the acute cervical central-cord injury syndrome. This rare injury pattern is characterized by weakness of upper extremities with little or no compromise of lower limb function following trauma to the superior cervical cord. The pattern of injury and clinical findings support selective damage to the corticospinal tract or upper motor neurons subserving upper limb function with the pyramidal decussation. Authors experience a case of curciate paralysis due to type 2 odontoid fracture and atlas dislocation.

A Case of Cervical Disc Herniation Complicated by Central Cord Syndrome

We have recently managed a patient, 31-year-old male, who has been in the state of inferior paraparesis due to cervical disc herniation. The centrally herniated disc material was removed through the posterior approach to the lesion under the general anesthesia in left lateral position. Two days after the operation with removal of herniated disc at C5-6interspace, the subject developed quadriparesis and difficulty in urination in which the weakness of upper extremities were more severe that of the lower extremities. The signs developed postoperatively were very much compatible with those of central cord syndrome, There was improving after the removal of the hematoma and of additional herniated material at second operation which was forced to be done due to development of central cord syndrome in severe degree following the primary surgery. Recovery from neurological dysfunction in order of good and better improvement was of leg, arm, voiding and finger.