Traumatic central cord syndrome: neurologic recovery after surgical management.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate neurologic recovery following an acute, traumatic central cord syndrome (TCCS) injury. We retrospectively reviewed 69 patients who were treated surgically following an acute TCCS injury. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor scores (AMS) were obtained from the time of presentation, from the time of hospital discharge, and from the most recent follow-up visit. The mean AMS was 63.2 ± 25.8 at presentation and 89.9 ± 14.6 at final follow-up (P<.001). Overall, 74% of the patients improved at least one ASIA impairment scale grade. Surgery was performed at a mean of 2.9 days (range, 0.25-24 days) following the injury using a posterior approach in 33 patients (48%), anterior approach in 22 patients (32%), and combined anterior-posterior approach in 14 patients (20%). Neither surgical timing nor approach appears to affect motor recovery. Adverse events were encountered in 24.6% of the patients. There were no deaths. A history of a loss of consciousness, decreased rectal tone at presentation, the presence of a fracture, the timing of surgery, and surgical approach did not have a significant impact on motor recovery.
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. greg.anderson@rothmaninstitute.com
D Greg
DG
Anderson
Amirali
A
Sayadipour
Worawat
W
Limthongkul
Neil D
ND
Martin
Alexander
A
Vaccaro
James S
JS
Harrop
D020210:Central Cord Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome