Treatment of Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome: A Study of North American Trauma Centers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is expected to become the most common traumatic spinal cord injury, yet its optimal management remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate variability in nonoperative vs operative treatment for CCS between trauma centers in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program, identify patient- and hospital-level factors associated with treatment, and determine the association of treatment with outcomes.

METHODS

Adults with CCS were identified from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database (2014-2016). Mixed-effects modeling with a random intercept for trauma centers was used to examine the adjusted association of patient- and hospital-level variables with nonoperative treatment. The random-effects output of the model assessed the risk-adjusted variability in nonoperative treatment across centers. Outlier hospitals were identified, and the median odds ratio was calculated. The adjusted effect of nonoperative treatment on mortality, morbidity, and hospital length of stay (LOS) was examined at the patient and hospital level by mixed-effects regression.

RESULTS

Three thousand, nine hundred twenty-eight patients across 255 centers were eligible; of these, 1523 (38.8%) were treated nonoperatively. Older age, noncommercial insurance (odds ratio [OR] 1.26, 95% CI 1.08-1.48, P = .004), absence of fracture (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.49-0.68, P < .001), severe head injury (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09-1.82, P = .008), and comatose presentation (1.82, 95% CI 1.15-2.89, P = .011) were associated with nonoperative treatment. Twenty-eight hospitals were outliers, and the median odds ratio was 2.02. Patients receiving nonoperative treatment had shorter LOS (mean difference -4.65 days). Nonoperative treatment was associated with lesser in-hospital morbidity (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.37-0.63, P < .001) at the patient level. There was no difference in mortality.

CONCLUSION

Operative decision-making for CCS is influenced by patient factors. There remains substantial variability between trauma centers not explained by case-mix differences. Nonoperative treatment was associated with shorter hospital LOS and lesser inpatient morbidity.

Central cord syndrome definitions, variations and limitations

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is the most common, yet most controversial, among the different spinal cord injury (SCI) incomplete syndromes. Since its original description in 1954, many variations have been described while maintaining the core characteristic of disproportionate weakness in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities. Several definitions have been proposed in an attempt to quantify this difference, including a widely accepted criterion of ≥10 motor points in favor of the lower extremities. Nevertheless, recent reports have recommended revisiting the terminology and criteria of CCS as existing definitions do not capture the entire essence of the syndrome. Due to methodological differences, the full extent of CCS is not known, and a large variation in prevalence has been described. This review classifies the different definitions of CCS and describes some inherent limitations, highlighting the need for universal quantifiable criteria.

[Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome: Etiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestation, and Treatment]

Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome: Etiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestation, and Treatment Abstract. The acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) represents an injury to the spinal cord with disproportionately greater motor impairment of the upper than the lower extremities, with bladder dysfunction and with varying degrees of sensory loss below the level of the respective lesion. The mechanism of ATCCS is most commonly a traumatic hyperextension injury of the cervical spine at the base of an underlying spondylosis and spinal stenosis. The mean age is 53 years, and segments C4 to Th1 are most frequently affected. In addition to medical history and clinical examination, the definitive diagnosis is made by magnetic resonance imaging, where T2-hyperintense lesions are typically observed in the affected spinal cord segment. Surgical decompression (and fusion) of the respective segment is recommended to prevent repetitive trauma to the spinal cord and to stop progression of clinical symptoms. Patients with diagnosed ATCCS and who are treated adequately usually have a good prognosis.

Hyperextension injury of the cervical spine with central cord syndrome

PURPOSE

Traumatic central cord syndrome (TCCS) is the most commonly encountered type of incomplete spinal cord injury. TCCS typically occurs in patients over the age of 50 with a narrow spinal canal and follows an acute hyperextension injury of the cervical spine. Here, we report on the demographics of TCCS patients, their clinical course and outcomes, and the factors that may have influenced these outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective folder review of patients who presented to our facility between January 2004 and December 2008 following hyperextension injury of the cervical spine and with the clinical manifestations of a central cord syndrome. Patient details were obtained from the acute spinal cord injury register at Groote Schuur Hospital and the patient folders, radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging films were reviewed. Predetermined data points were identified, tabulated and analysed, with only information from the injury-related admission being included.

RESULTS

An ASIA motor score of ≥60 on admission or discharge correlated with an 80 % chance of being able to walk at discharge from hospital. An ASIA motor score of ≤50 on admission correlated with an 80 % chance of not walking at discharge. An ASIA motor score of ≤50 at discharge meant a patient was not only unable to walk, but required placement in a spinal injury rehabilitation centre. Further, if a patient had a cervical spinal canal diameter of ≥8 mm they had a 50 % chance of clinical improvement and nearly 80 % chance of a functional outcome.

CONCLUSION

The Groote Schuur Hospital patient population differs from the international norm, particularly with respect to age and mechanism of injury. The ASIA motor score and cervical spine canal diameter proved to be useful predictors of outcome. Within our patient group, timing of surgery did not appear to influence the outcome.

Laminoplasty versus conservative treatment for acute cervical spinal cord injury caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament after minor trauma

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

No reports to date have accurately evaluated the management for acute spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after minor trauma.

PURPOSE

To assess whether outcomes of laminoplasty is better than conservative treatment.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

A retrospective study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Thirty-one patients underwent surgery (L group) and 29 patients underwent conservative treatment (C group).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Disability, muscle strength, sensation, and general health status.

METHODS

Patients were managed according to routine clinical practice and the results between groups were compared. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed at admission, discharge, 6 months and at the final visit. Causes for trauma, duration of hospital stay, and complication were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Causes for trauma included falling, traffic accidents and sports. Mixed and segmental types were the most frequent cause of OPLL resulting into SCI. Duration of hospital stay and complications were less in the L group. Motor and sensory scores increased in the L group at discharge (p<.05) and at 6 months (p<.05), and maintained thereafter (p>.05); scores improved significantly in the C group at 6 months (p<.05), with a slight deterioration with time (p>.05); scores in the L group were higher than in the C group at each time point after surgery (p<.05). Bodily pain and mental health in SF-36 improved at discharge in the L group (p<.05); all scores improved at 6 months in both the groups (p<.05), with better improvements in the L group (p<.05). The canal diameter increased and occupation ratio decreased in the L group (p<.05), and maintained thereafter (p<.05); a slight increase of occupation ratio was observed in the C group (p>.05). Lordotic angle and range of motion were maintained in both the groups, with no significance between groups (p>.05). High-signal intensity decreased at 6 months (p<.05) in the L group; no significant change was found in the C group during the follow-up (p>.05); Significant difference was detected between the groups at 6 months and at the final visit (p<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the OPLL patients displayed as incomplete SCI after minor trauma. Although spontaneous improvement of SCI without surgery is often observed, laminoplasty has more satisfactory outcomes, prevents late compression of cord, and reduces perioperative complications, although with no significant benefit in cervical alignment and range of motion.

Recurrent central cord syndrome at the level of a solid cervical vertebral fusion

STUDY DESIGN

A case of a solid cervical vertebral fusion that failed to protect against recurrent central cord syndrome at the same spinal level is described.

OBJECTIVES

To alert clinicians to the potential for incomplete spinal cord lesions at the same level as cervical vertebral fusions.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The clinical symptomatology of central cord syndrome is discussed and the advantages of T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in such cases is considered. No prior reports of central cord syndrome occurring directly posterior to a solidly fused disc segment were found in the literature.

METHODS

The clinical and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging features associated with central cord syndrome are presented. The traumatized region developed immediately posterior to the site of an anterior cervical diskectomy and uncovertebral osteophytectomy between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae with bone grafting that had been performed more than 3 years earlier.

RESULTS

Symptoms of the central cord syndrome resolved over the course of 4 months with no other intervention other than the use of a Philadelphia cervical collar. Five years later, the patient remained symptom free.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates that clinicians must be aware of the potential occurrence of central cord syndrome in patients with solidly fused cervical segments, and that cervical fusion does not necessarily protect against future incomplete spinal cord injury, such as central cord syndrome, at the level of the fusion.