The clinical diagnosis and perioperative management of ischemic reperfusion injury to the spinal cord / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To summarize clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria of ischemic reperfusion (IR) injury to the spinal cord. Method The clinical manifestations and management of 15 cases of spinal cord IR injury after operation during 2000 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Result All the patients with spinal cord IR injury presented progressive ascending motor and sensory functional impairment beginning from lower extremities 3h post operation, and they were all treated immediately with methylprednisolone and neurotrophy drugs to restore spinal cord function. However, mechanical compression with organic lesion should be ruled out to establish the diagnosis of spinal cord IR injury in the retrospective analysis. Different stages of spinal cord IR injury occurred in these 15 cases. Through symptomatic treatment, 8 patients recovered completely; the clinical symptoms were basically improved in 4 cases who could lead a normal life; in 3 patients clinical symptoms were improved but not satisfactory. Conclusion Though spinal cord IR injury seldom occurs in the clinic, its damage is disastrous. Proper management is critical to save patients from poor life quality.