Prediction of functional outcome by motor capability after spinal cord injury.

The relationship between early motor status and functional outcome after spinal cord injury (SCI) was evaluated prospectively in 52 quadriplegic and 26 paraplegic patients. Motor status was measured within 72 hours of injury and quantified with the Motor Index Score (MIS). Functional status was evaluated with the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). A senior physical therapist completed the MIS and the MBI when each patient was admitted to the spinal cord intensive care unit and every 30 days during rehabilitation. Early motor function was correlated with average daily improvement in functional status including self-care and mobility (p = .001). The initial MIS strongly correlated with functional status of quadriplegics at admission (p = .001), at 60 days, and at rehabilitation discharge (p = .001). In paraplegics, the overall MBI at admission, after 60 days of rehabilitation, and at discharge was not correlated with early motor function. However, the MIS correlated significantly with the MBI self-care subscore at 60 days and at discharge (p = .01), but not with the mobility subscore. The initial MIS was also significantly correlated to functional status at discharge in patients with complete lesions (p = .001), but was not related to functional status at discharge in patients with incomplete lesions. The MIS appears to be a useful tool in predicting function during rehabilitation, although individual differences in ambulation, particularly for patients with paraplegia, limit the predictive utility of this index.

Munchausen syndrome presenting as acute spinal cord injury.

A 30-year-old woman was diagnosed to have Munchausen syndrome, simulating acute spinal cord injury, a rarely reported neurologic presentation. For nearly seven years she traveled widely over two continents, taking serious medical risks in order to prolong her illness. She was discovered after recovering partial voluntary lower extremity function under the influence of Pentothal (thiopental sodium). Information about her personal and medical background was found to be untrue. Confidentiality requirements prevented the transfer of critical medical information and delayed the diagnosis. Corroboration of the details of personal and medical history may lead to earlier diagnosis and prevent unnecessary medical intervention.

Multifocal central nervous system damage caused by toluene abuse.

Four toluene abusers had evidence of severe multifocal central nervous system damage. Impairment of cognitive, cerebellar, brainstem, auditory, and pyramidal tract function, as well as CT evidence of cerebral cortical, cerebellar, and brainstem atrophy, have been noted. In addition, we found opsoclonus, ocular flutter, and ocular dysmetria. All three patients tested had abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potentials, indicative of brainstem dysfunction. The patient with opsoclonus had CT evidence of brainstem, cerebellar, and cerebral cortical atrophy.