Article

As the general population ages, the rising prevalence of vascular
lesions of the spinal cord will become significant. The aim of this study was to
compare the neurological and functional outcomes of patients with ischemic spinal
cord injury (ISCI) and traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). SETTING: Spinal cord
unit of a rehabilitation hospital in Italy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 179 patients with a TSCI and 68 with an ISCI. At
admission and discharge, patients were examined by American Spinal Injury
Association (ASIA) standards, Barthel Index, Rivermead Mobility Index and Walking
Index for Spinal Cord Injury. Bowel and bladder management and discharge
destination were recorded at discharge. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and
logistic regression models were used to analyze the effects of the etiology of
the lesion, AIS level at admission, site of the lesion and the presence of
complications on measured outcomes. RESULTS: Patients with an ISCI were older and
experienced fewer cervical lesions and complications at admission. By ANCOVA and
logistic regression, age, AIS level and lesion level were the chief predictors of
neurological and functional outcome, whereas etiology had no effect on outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of ischemia and trauma is not a determinant of
neurological and functional recovery in spinal cord injury patients. Instead, the
outcome of these patients is influenced by age, lesion level and AIS level.

Langue : ANGLAIS