title: Potential beneficial effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy for spastic paraparesis in a patient with kyphoscoliosis: a case report.
abstract: Congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis are much less common than congenital scoliosis and more serious because these curves can progress rapidly and can lead to spinal cord compression and paraplegia. A 15-year-old boy presented with congenital kyphoscoliosis along with spastic paraparesis (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade C). We examined the safety and effectiveness of a low dose of analog granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in this patient. G-CSF 5 µg/kg was given subcutaneously, daily for 5 days per month for 3 months. Laboratory tests, including blood, biochemical tests, and CD34+ cells (marker hematopoietic progenitor cells) were performed, in addition to clinical examination. Clinical examination revealed an increase of muscle strength in the upper limbs and decrease spasticity in the lower limbs between baseline and day 90 and day 180. We found no serious adverse event, drug-related platelet reduction, or splenomegaly. Leukocyte levels remained below 21,000/µL. CD34+ increased significantly at day 5 of G-CSF administration. Low-dose G-CSF was safe and well tolerated by the patient. A significant increase in muscle strength in this patient with spastic paraparesis after 3 months of treatment may indicate beneficial effects of G-CSF factor in this disorder. These results are inspiring and warrant further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sienkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kułak
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Bożena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Okurowska-Zawada
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wojtkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Grażyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paszko-Patej
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dmitruk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalinowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Kamila
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okulczyk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D020336:Paraparesis, Spastic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor