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Traumatic infarction of the spinal cord in children
Insights
Traumatic spinal cord infarction in children is rare and often presents with delayed neurological symptoms. Most affected children experienced permanent paralysis, highlighting the severity of this injury.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Trauma Surgery
- Spinal Cord Medicine
Background:
- Traumatic spinal cord infarction is an uncommon cause of pediatric neurological deficits.
- This condition is distinct from other spinal cord injuries in its etiology and presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of traumatic spinal cord infarction in children.
- To analyze the diagnostic findings and long-term prognosis for pediatric patients with this injury.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of eight pediatric patients diagnosed with traumatic spinal cord infarction between 1971 and 1985.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, trauma mechanism, diagnostic imaging (X-ray, myelography), and neurological outcomes.
Main Results:
- All patients exhibited delayed onset of neurological signs (2 hours to 4 days post-trauma).
- Plain spine X-rays and myelography were normal in all evaluated cases.
- Six of eight patients remained permanently paraplegic; two with incomplete signs showed some recovery.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic spinal cord infarction in children is a serious condition with a poor prognosis for motor function.
- Delayed neurological deterioration following trauma should raise suspicion for spinal cord infarction, even with normal initial imaging.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology and identify potential treatments for pediatric traumatic spinal cord infarction.
Abstract:
Infarction of the spinal cord in childhood is rarely due to trauma. During a 15-year period (1971 to 1985), eight children were admitted to The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, with a diagnosis of traumatic infarction of the spinal cord. All of these patients had delayed onset of neurological signs varying between 2 hours and 4 days after their initial trauma. No bone abnormalities were seen on plain spine x-ray films. Myelography was carried out in seven of these children and found to be normal in all seven. Six patients who were paraplegic at the time of admission remained permanently paraplegic, but two with incomplete cord signs did show some improvement.