[Clinical characteristics of chronic post-traumatic spinal neurogenic pain syndrome]

In order to define clinical features of chronic posttraumatic spinal neurogenic pain syndrome we have analyzed a group of 23 patients with posttraumatic neurogenic pain. Patients (21 males and 2 females) were aged from 22 to 59 years, averagely 35.8 years. Painful sensations had the character of mechanical-incisive pain in 7 (30%) patients, and thermal pain equivalents in 3 (13%) patients. In 13 (57%) patients, sensor structure of this painful state had the character of associated thermal and mechanical painful sensations. Typical posttraumatic chronic spinal syndrome in our group of patients had persistent thermal qualities, of fluctuating intensity, with periodical, intensive pain onsets of mechanical character. Level of conus and cauda equina is predilectional level of the lesion for the development of intensive pain syndrome. Posttraumatic pain syndrome can be classified as intermittent and steady pain in relation to the rhythm of its manifestation, and as diffuse and dermatomal pain in relation to extension, in which painful state of occasional rhythm and dermatomal topography is the optimal indication for operative neurosurgical treatment.