title: Recurrent Neurological Deterioration after Conservative Treatment for Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome without Bony Injury: Seventeen Operative Case Reports.
abstract: The mechanisms of late recurrent neurological deterioration after conservative treatment for acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) remain unclear. Seventeen operative cases sustaining late recurrent neurological deterioration after conservative treatment for ATCCS were reviewed to investigate the mechanisms. The assessment of neurological status was based on International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI). Gender, age, cause of injury, results of image, conservative treatment and operative data, and neurological status at different time points were recorded. The mean age of 17 patients was 43.8 ± 2.3 years old, and the causes of the cervical injury were 14 vehicle accidents and 3 falls. The neurological deficits of 17 patients on admission were not serious, and patients recovered quickly after conservative treatment. No fractures or dislocation were found in any patient's radiographs or CT scan images. All 17 patients performed first MRI test in 4 days and there was a slight or mild compression on the spinal cord in 16 patients. Eight patients had a second MRI scan ∼6 weeks later, which showed that there was aggravated compression on the spinal cord in six patients. All patients underwent an anterior approach to cervical decompression and internal fixation operation. During the operation, there were loose discs found in all 17 patients, obvious ruptures of disks found in 3 patients, obvious ruptures of anterior longitudinal ligaments (ALLs) found in 8 patients, and obvious ruptures of posterior longitudinal ligaments (PLLs) found in 7 patients. There was serious adhesion between PLLs and cervical disks in 12 patients. In five patients, partial ossification of PLLs was detected. All patients had a good neurological outcome at 6 month follow-up. Ruptures of ALLs, PLLs, and discs resulting in cervical instability and secondary compression on the spinal cord were important causes for recurrent neurological deterioration after conservative treatment for ATCCS. With timely spinal decompression after recurrent neurological deterioration, patients could achieve a good neurological outcome.
authors.affiliation: 1 Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Wenjie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: 1 Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: 1 Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Kangping
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: 2 Shanghai Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1 Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Xingzhen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: 1 Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Xiushuai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.affiliation: 1 Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Hairong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.affiliation: 1 Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China .
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020210:Central Cord Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000072700:Conservative Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: central cord syndrome; operation; recurrent neurological deterioration; trauma