Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Introduction: Nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI), refers to damage to the spinal cord resulting from a cause other than trauma. It is a condition with immense functional implications for individuals involved. The incidence of NTSCI is difficult to estimate due to its heterogeneous cluster of a...
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Knowledge E
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Spine Practice |
| Online Access: | https://knepublishing.com/index.php/jsp/article/view/9769 |
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| author | Mutlaq AlMutlaq |
| author_facet | Mutlaq AlMutlaq |
| author_sort | Mutlaq AlMutlaq |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction: Nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI), refers to damage to the spinal cord resulting from a cause other than trauma. It is a condition with immense functional implications for individuals involved. The incidence of NTSCI is difficult to estimate due to its heterogeneous cluster of a wide spectrum etiologies with varying pathophysiology. The most described NTSCI causes are degenerative diseases and spinal stenosis, tumors, and inflammatory conditions. In order to avoid delay in diagnosis and time-critical treatment, knowledge of each is important. We aim to fill the gap of knowledge by assessing the causes, patterns, and outcomes of NTSCI.
Methodology: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who had an NTSCI between 2016 and 2020. In addition, patients aged >18 years and treated surgically were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Pre- and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scales and last follow-up outcomes were assessed.
Result: A total of 124 patients were included. The mean age of our population was 62.8 years with an average BMI of 31; 8% of them were smokers. Upon admission, back pain (45%), numbness (43%), and inability to walk (18%) were the highest recorded clinical presentations. Spinal stenosis (45%) followed by degenerative cervical myelopathy (27%) were the most observed pathologies. Lumbar injuries accounted for 45% whereas cervical injuries accounted for 41% and thoracic injuries for 14%. The average length of stay period was 23.2 days, with 48% of patients transferred to inpatient rehabilitation, and the mean follow-up duration was 15 months.
Conclusion: In summary, after assessing the causes, patterns, and outcomes of NTSCI, our study showed that comorbidities were observed in 85% of patients. Spinal stenosis and degenerative cervical myelopathy were the most common etiologies. Patients who presented with urinary incontinence and/or bowel incontinence upon admission had a significantly worse ASIA score at last follow-up. Degenerative pathologies recorded a worse ASIA score, and thoracic injuries recorded the worst ASIA score improvement compared to cervical and lumbar injuries. In total, 57% of the patients showed full recovery at the last follow-up.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-85227e7666664e898366ec1f33e6922f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2789-9454 2789-9462 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | Knowledge E |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Spine Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-85227e7666664e898366ec1f33e6922f2025-08-20T02:04:53ZengKnowledge EJournal of Spine Practice2789-94542789-94622021-11-011110.18502/jsp.v1i1.9769Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord InjuryMutlaq AlMutlaq0Saudi Arabia Introduction: Nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI), refers to damage to the spinal cord resulting from a cause other than trauma. It is a condition with immense functional implications for individuals involved. The incidence of NTSCI is difficult to estimate due to its heterogeneous cluster of a wide spectrum etiologies with varying pathophysiology. The most described NTSCI causes are degenerative diseases and spinal stenosis, tumors, and inflammatory conditions. In order to avoid delay in diagnosis and time-critical treatment, knowledge of each is important. We aim to fill the gap of knowledge by assessing the causes, patterns, and outcomes of NTSCI. Methodology: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who had an NTSCI between 2016 and 2020. In addition, patients aged >18 years and treated surgically were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Pre- and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scales and last follow-up outcomes were assessed. Result: A total of 124 patients were included. The mean age of our population was 62.8 years with an average BMI of 31; 8% of them were smokers. Upon admission, back pain (45%), numbness (43%), and inability to walk (18%) were the highest recorded clinical presentations. Spinal stenosis (45%) followed by degenerative cervical myelopathy (27%) were the most observed pathologies. Lumbar injuries accounted for 45% whereas cervical injuries accounted for 41% and thoracic injuries for 14%. The average length of stay period was 23.2 days, with 48% of patients transferred to inpatient rehabilitation, and the mean follow-up duration was 15 months. Conclusion: In summary, after assessing the causes, patterns, and outcomes of NTSCI, our study showed that comorbidities were observed in 85% of patients. Spinal stenosis and degenerative cervical myelopathy were the most common etiologies. Patients who presented with urinary incontinence and/or bowel incontinence upon admission had a significantly worse ASIA score at last follow-up. Degenerative pathologies recorded a worse ASIA score, and thoracic injuries recorded the worst ASIA score improvement compared to cervical and lumbar injuries. In total, 57% of the patients showed full recovery at the last follow-up. https://knepublishing.com/index.php/jsp/article/view/9769 |
| spellingShingle | Mutlaq AlMutlaq Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury Journal of Spine Practice |
| title | Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_full | Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_fullStr | Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_full_unstemmed | Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_short | Causes, Patterns, and Outcomes of Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_sort | causes patterns and outcomes of nontraumatic spinal cord injury |
| url | https://knepublishing.com/index.php/jsp/article/view/9769 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mutlaqalmutlaq causespatternsandoutcomesofnontraumaticspinalcordinjury |