title: Autonomic dysreflexia with negative-pressure wound therapy: a report of two cases.
abstract: Pressure ulcers and autonomic dysreflexia (AD) are common complications that may affect individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a frequently used modality to aid in wound healing in the treatment of pressures ulcers in patients with SCI. Although the common triggers of AD have been well described in the literature, there have been no formal reports of NPWT itself as a cause of AD. We detail 2 cases of patients with SCI and with AD thought to be secondary to NPWT and discuss modifications made to allow for continued treatment with NPWT while minimizing further episodes of AD. We propose that NPWT should be considered as a potential source of AD in patients with SCI undergoing this therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mhatre
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Marissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020211:Autonomic Dysreflexia / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications