Post-traumatic acute anterior spinal cord syndrome

Thirteen patients with motor complete but sensory incomplete lesions following vertebral and spinal cord injuries are described. Sensory dissociation was present with more impairment of pain than touch or proprioception. The loss of pain sensation was complete in seven patients, but was incomplete in the other six subjects four of whom showed major motor recovery. The major point of interest of this study is to show that patients who retain not only touch but also pain sensation have a definitely better prognosis for neurological recovery.