آسيب هاي نفوذي نخاع توسط اجسام برنده

Penetrating spinal cord injury by sharp objects:a review of twenty cases

Background: Spinal cord injury (S is one of the causes of mortality and morbidity in youngsters and results in socioeconomic problems. Trauma is the most common cause of SCI, where-penetrating trauma by sharp objects results in complete or incomplete SCI. We performed this research targeted to study on the penetrating SCI by sharp objects. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 20 patients with penetrating SCI by sharp objects during 1999-2003. All patients were examined during the first visit and during medical and surgical treatment periodically. X-ray and MRI examinations were done for all patients. Results: The majority of patients with mean age of 27.8 years were males (90%) and 65% were single. 35% of patients were jobless, and 85% were under diploma. The common site of involvement were cervical spine with frequency of 45%, and then thoracic and lumbosacral region with 35% and 20%, respectively. 40% had complete injury and the remaining (60%.) had incomplete injury. Having completed the course of treatment, 75% of patients with complete SCI had no improvement and 25% could walk only by accessory equipments. 75% of incomplete SCI recovered completely and 25% had partial recovery up to 3.5 in involved limbs. Conclusion: Announcements to youngsters about etiology and complication of SCI and using the ways of prevention is recommended.