title: Epidemiology of persistent iatrogenic spinal cord injuries in Western Norway.
abstract: Iatrogenic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) caused by invasive procedures or surgical interventions have previously been reported as case studies. The primary objective of this study was to investigate and analyze the incidence, etiology, and prognosis of iatrogenic SCI in Western Norway.
  
  
  
  Medical records of all 183 patients admitted to the SCU between 01.01.2004 and 31.12.2013 were reviewed. Gender, age, diagnosis, iatrogenic medical procedure, symptoms and findings before and after injury, mechanism of injury, level of injury, and ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) score prior iatrogenic SCI, at admittance and discharge were recorded, as were the length of the period prior to admittance and the length of stay.
  
  
  
  Twenty-three (12.5%; 14 men, nine women) of 183 patients met the criteria for iatrogenic SCI. The annual incidence rate was estimated 2,3 per 1,000,000 (SD±1.0). Mean age at iatrogenic SCI was 55.5 years (range 16-79 years). Intervention for cervical spinal stenosis was the leading cause of iatrogenic SCI, followed by operations on the aorta and spine. Iatrogenic SCIs was most frequently located on the thoracic level. The patients suffered from clinical incomplete injuries (AIS score C and D) both at admittance and discharge from the SCU. Most patients improved, but no patient recovered completely after SCI.
  
  
  
  Although the annual incidence rate of iatrogenic SCI is low in Norway, individual consequences are serious. Increased awareness of the causes of SCI may decrease the risk of iatrogenic SCI.
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine University of Bergen Bergen Norway.
authors: Mathias S
authors: MS
authors: Æsøy
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine University of Bergen Bergen Norway.
authors: Stein-Erik H
authors: SH
authors: Solvang
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine University of Bergen Bergen Norway; Department of Occupational Medicine Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway.
authors: Marit
authors: M
authors: Grønning
authors: Department of Neurology Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology Sahlgrenska Academy University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden.
authors: Tiina
authors: T
authors: Rekand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: complication; epidemiology; iatrogenic; injury; neurological disorders; spinal cord injury