Significance of the neurological level of injury as a prognostic predictor for motor complete cervical spinal cord injury patients.

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of the combination of neurological findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a prognostic predictor in patients with motor complete cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) in the acute phase.Design: A cross-sectional analysisSetting: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spinal Injuries CenterParticipants/Methods: Forty-two patients with an initial diagnosis of motor complete CSCI (AIS A, n = 29; AIS B, n = 13) within 72 h after injury were classified into the recovery group (Group R) and the non-recovery group (Group N), based on the presence or absence of motor recovery (conversion from AIS A/B to C/D) at three months after injury, respectively. The Neurological Level of Injury (NLI) at the initial diagnosis was investigated and the presumptive primary injured segment of the spinal cord was inferred from MRI performed at the initial diagnosis. We investigated whether or not the difference between the presumptive primary injured segment and the NLI exceeded one segment. The presence of a difference between the presumptive primary injured segment and the NLI was compared between Groups R and N.Results: The number of cases with the differences between the presumptive primary injured segment and the NLI was significantly higher in Group N than in Group R.Conclusion: The presence of differences between the presumptive primary injured segment and the NLI might be a poor improving prognostic predictor for motor complete CSCI. The NLI may be useful for predicting the recovery potential of patients with motor complete CSCI when combined with the MRI findings.

Incidence and risk factors of pneumonia following acute traumatic cervical spinal cord Injury.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the incidence and risk factors for pneumonia after acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.Setting: Spinal injuries center in Japan.Participants: Of 184 individuals who were admitted within 2 weeks after acute traumatic cervical spinal injuries, 167 individuals who met the criteria were included in this study.Interventions: The occurrence of pneumonia, degree of dysphagia using the Dysphagia Severity Scale, patient age, history of smoking, presence of tracheostomy, vital capacity, level of injury, and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) 2 weeks after injury were assessed.Outcomes: Incidence of pneumonia were analyzed. Moreover, the risk factors of pneumonia were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: From the 167 individuals who met the criteria, 30 individuals (18%) had pneumonia; in 26 (87%) of these individuals, pneumonia was aspiration related, defined as Dysphagia Severity Scale ≤ 4. The median occurrence of aspiration pneumonia was 11.5 days after injury. A logistic regression analysis revealed that severe AIS and severe Dysphagia Severity Scale scores were significant risk factors of pneumonia after CSCI. CONCLUSIONS: It was highly likely that the pneumonias following CSCI were related to aspiration based on the Dysphagia Severity Scale. In addition, most of the patients developed aspiration pneumonia within 1 month after injury. Aspiration and severe paralysis were significant risk factors for pneumonia. The treatment of dysphagia in the acute phase should be considered an important indicator to prevent pneumonia.

Predicting motor function recovery in cervical spinal cord injury-induced complete paralysis with reflex response.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical study. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the usefulness of the patellar tendon reflex (PTR), bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR), and plantar response (PR) as factors in the prognostic prediction of motor function in complete paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCIs) at the acute phase. SETTING: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Spinal Injuries Center, Japan. METHODS: 99 patients assessed as the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A (AIS A) were included in this study. The PTR, BCR, and PR were evaluated respectively as positive or negative at the time of injury. We classified the patients into two groups based on their neurological recovery at 3 months after injury: "recovered" group was defined as AIS C, D, or E; "non-recovered" group was defined as AIS A or B. RESULTS: Eight patients demonstrated positive PTR, while 91 demonstrated negative. Three out of eight patients with positive PTR (37.5%) were R group, while 83 out of 91 patients with negative PTR (91.2%) were N group. A significant difference was observed (p = 0.043). For BCR, no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). Twenty-six patients demonstrated positive PTR, while 73 demonstrated negative. Nine out of twenty-six patients with positive PR (34.6%) were R group, while 71 out of 73 patients with negative PR (97.3%) were N group. A significant difference was observed (p = 0.000068). CONCLUSION: The PTR and PR are useful for poor prognostic prediction of motor function in CSCI at the acute phase.

Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury after cervical laminoplasty for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: a case series.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of a case series of five participants. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effects of post-cervical laminoplasty on the clinical pathophysiology of traumatic CSCI. Cervical laminoplasty has been widely performed with good results in individuals for cervical myelopathy. However, no reports have thus far referred to the incidence of traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) after previous history of cervical laminoplasty. SETTING: Spinal Injuries Center, Japan. METHODS: From 2008 to 2017, 999 cervical myelopathy individuals were treated by cervical laminoplasty in our institution. Of these, only five participants were subsequently emergency transported to our institution caused by traumatic CSCI. The pathology of five participants were cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (C-OPLL). The changes of cervical sagittal range of motion (ROM) and the morphology of OPLL were radiologically evaluated. Moreover, the mechanism of injury, the level of injury, and neurological evaluations were discussed. RESULTS: All of the participants demonstrated ankylosed cervical spine due to developing OPLL and spontaneous bony facet and laminar fusion on post-laminoplasty. A significant difference in cervical ROM was observed between pre-laminoplasty and 6 months post-laminoplasty (p = 0.0065). Three participants were extension injury and the other two were flexion injury. CONCLUSIONS: All of the five traumatic CSCI participants had a history of previous cervical laminoplasty for C-OPLL. Cervical laminoplasty for C-OPLL might lead to cervical spine with rigidity and ankylosing due to developing OPLL and bony facet and laminar fusion, and might have a risk for traumatic CSCI.

Acute Attack of Pseudogout with the Wide Lesion in Lumbar Spondylolytic Spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of an acute attack of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease in a patient with lumbar spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, which demonstrated widespread lesion with neurological deficit. METHODS: An 86-year-old woman presented with high fever and bilateral neurological deficit of the lower extremities. RESULTS: CRP was elevated (20.9 mg/dl). Plain radiographs and computed tomography images showed bilateral L4 spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. Sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed effusion at the L3-4 interspinous space, and a gadolinium- (GD-) enhanced epidural mass was observed at the level of L4 vertebral body. Axial MR images showed an intra- or epidural lesion at L2-3. Moreover, epidural GD-enhanced masses compressed the dural sac in the shape of a cross at the L3-4 and L4-5 segments. The patient was suspected of having pyogenic arthritis of the lumbar spine in initial diagnosis. A total of 1.2 ml of fluid with a murky, pus-like synovial effusion was aspirated from the L3-4 interspinous space under the fluoroscopic image. Smear speculum of synovial fluid tested negative for bacteria and fungi; however, a number of crystals were seen. Based on the result of smear speculum, we suspected the pathology as crystal deposition disease. Based on polarized light microscopy, which revealed monocle or triclinic intracellular crystals with a positive birefringence, the patient was diagnosed with pseudogout of the lumbar spine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were administered by intravenous drip injection for 3 days, and local and systemic inflammatory signs, as well as neurological deficits, dramatically improved. CONCLUSIONS: We encountered the rare case of an acute attack of pseudogout with the wide lesion in the lumbar spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. Multiple culture of the effusion provided a definitive diagnosis, which allowed for appropriate, minimally invasive treatment for 8 weeks of NSAID administration that provided the satisfactory recovery from the symptoms.

Acute spinal subdural hematoma: A case report of spontaneous recovery from paraplegia.

RATIONALE: Spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is a rare disease that can cause severe permanent neurological dysfunction. Here we present a case of spontaneous SSDH, in which a series of magnetic resonance images (MRIs) taken through the course of the disease facilitated understanding of the resolution process of the hematoma and the diagnosis of SSDH. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 59-year-old male presented with sudden severe back pain and rapid onset of paraplegia. This symptom had continued developing while he was transferred to the emergency department. Initial physical examination showed flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs with areflexia and loss of all sensation below T6 bilaterally. MRI images showed an anterior subdural hematoma from C7 to T7 with spinal cord compression. DIAGNOSIS: Based on MRI findings, the diagnosis was SSDH. INTERVENTIONS: We chose conservative treatment of 1-week bed rest and intensive rehabilitation for the patient due to the presence of sacral sparing and the slight motor recovery at 24 hours after the onset. OUTCOMES: Frequent MRI images demonstrated that the spinal cord compression was surprisingly mitigated only 2 days and mostly absorbed 4 days after the onset. The patient's motor function was recovered completely and he was discharged after 8 weeks of hospitalization. LESSONS: Our chronological MRI findings provide crucial information for diagnosing SSDH and also suggest that spinal surgeons should consider the potential option of a conservative approach for treating SSDH. Although prompt selection of a therapeutic strategy for SSDH could be challenging, the surgeons could observe the course of the patient's neurological status for a few days to detect signs of spontaneous recovery.

How much time is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of permanent complete cervical spinal cord injury?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart audits. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal timing at which permanent complete cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) can be confirmed when evaluating paralysis caused by traumatic CSCI. SETTING: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Spinal Injuries Center, Japan. METHODS: Two-hundred and three patients with CSCI that was classified with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A (AIS A) within 72 h of the initial diagnosis of traumatic CSCI were included in the present study. Neurological data from the time of the initial diagnosis to 1 year after the injury were extracted. The number of those with recovery from AIS A and changes of AIS in the recovery were examined. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 203 (17%) patients whose injuries were initially classified with an AIS A showed recovery from AIS A. Thirty-four of 35 (97%) patients showed recovery from AIS A within 8 weeks after injury. CONCLUSION: If CSCI patients with AIS A have not recovered by 8 weeks, the likelihood that they will recover from AIS A is marginal. However, this conversely means that we must consider the possibility that a patient with a traumatic CSCI classified with an AIS A may still show recovery from AIS A within the first 8 weeks after injury.

Augmented renal clearance in Japanese intensive care unit patients: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Augmented renal clearance (ARC) of circulating solutes and drugs has been recently often reported in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, only few studies on ARC have been reported in Japan. The aims of this pilot study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for ARC in Japanese ICU patients with normal serum creatinine levels and to evaluate the association between ARC and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated using the Japanese equation. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study from May 2015 to April 2016 at the emergency ICU of a tertiary university hospital; 111 patients were enrolled (mean age, 67 years; interquartile range, 53-77 years). We measured 8-h creatinine clearance (CLCR) within 24 h after admission, and ARC was defined as body surface area-adjusted CLCR ≥ 130 mL/min/1.73 m2. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for ARC. Moreover, a receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, including area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was performed to examine eGFR accuracy and other significant variables in predicting ARC. RESULTS: In total, 43 patients (38.7 %) manifested ARC. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed for age, body weight, body height, history of diabetes mellitus, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, admission categories of post-operative patients without sepsis and trauma, and serum albumin, and only age was identified as an independent risk factor for ARC (odds ratio, 0.95; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.98). Moreover, the AUROC of ARC for age and eGFR was 0.81 (95 % CI, 0.72-0.89) and 0.81 (95 % CI, 0.73-0.89), respectively. The optimal cutoff values for detecting ARC were age and eGFR of ≤63 years (sensitivity, 72.1 %; specificity, 82.4 %) and ≥76 mL/min/1.73 m2 (sensitivity, 81.4 %; specificity, 72.1 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ARC is common in Japanese ICU patients, and age was an independent risk factor for ARC. In addition, age and eGFR calculated using the Japanese equation were suggested to be useful screening tools for identifying Japanese patients with ARC.