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Updated: Jun 29, 2025
A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model
Published on: March 27, 2016
Clinical characteristics analysis of pediatric spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality in China: a
Renfeng Liu1, Qizhi Fan1, Jingpeng He1
1Department of Spinal Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Insights
Pediatric spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) predominantly affects young girls, often linked to dance backbends. Early injury severity dictates prognosis for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Spinal cord injury research
- Clinical epidemiology
Background:
- Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) presents unique diagnostic and management challenges in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the specific characteristics of SCIWORA in diverse ethnic groups is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical features of SCIWORA in Chinese children.
- To identify contributing factors and mechanisms behind SCIWORA in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric SCIWORA cases from January 2005 to May 2020.
- Evaluation of epidemiological, etiological, mechanistic, therapeutic, and outcome data.
- Utilized American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale for injury severity assessment.
Main Results:
- 47 pediatric SCIWORA cases identified (16 males, 31 females), with 70% under eight years old.
- Sports, particularly dance backbends (70%), were the primary cause (66%).
- Thoracic injuries (77%) were most common, with 88% classified as ASIA A or B; conservative treatment was prevalent (98%).
Conclusions:
- SCIWORA in Chinese children is more common in females under eight, with dance backbends a significant risk factor.
- Thoracic spinal cord involvement and initial injury severity are key prognostic indicators.
- Potential influence of the 'neijuan' social environment warrants further investigation.
Purpose:
This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of Chinese children with spinal cord injury (SCI) without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) and explore their contributing factors and mechanisms of occurrence.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with SCIWORA from January 2005 to May 2020. Epidemiological, etiological, mechanistic, therapeutic, and outcome aspects were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 47 patients with SCIWORA were included in this study, comprising 16 males and 31 females. The age range was 4 to 12 years, with an average age of 7.49 ± 2.04 years, and 70% of the patients were below eight. Sports-related injuries constituted 66%, with 70% attributed to dance backbend practice. Thoracic segment injuries accounted for 77%. In the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, the combined proportion of A and B grades accounted for 88%. Conservative treatment was chosen by 98% of the patients, with muscle atrophy, spinal scoliosis, hip joint abnormalities, and urinary system infections being the most common complications.
Conclusion:
SCIWORA in Chinese children is more prevalent in those under eight years old, with a higher incidence in females than males. Thoracic spinal cord injuries are predominant, dance backbend as a primary contributing factor, and the social environment of "neijuan" is a critical potential inducing factor. Furthermore, the initial severity of the injury plays a decisive role in determining the prognosis of SCIWORA.
