Spinal Cord Angiography
Milosh Perovitch in Radiological Evaluation of the Spinal Cord, 2019
The development of selective spinal cord angiography and its introduction as a reliable diagnostic procedure was preceded by detailed anatomic and physiologic studies of the specific blood flow of the spinal cord. Numerous informative additional studies related to diverse aspects of spinal cord angiography published by Djindjian and other investigators had a great impact on its rapid development in a relatively short period of time. The technique of spinal cord arteriography can be divided into the nonselective and selective methods. The nonselective methods are still used in children because selective arteriography is difficult and often even impossible to perform due to the narrow arterial ostia. The catheters for the selective spinal cord arteriography were done according to the Seldinger technique via the femoral artery. Contrast media used for different types of angiographic procedures were thoroughly studied, and their chemical, radiographic, and biologic properties were well analyzed. Radiographic equipment plays an important role in achieving a successful selective spinal cord angiography.
Review of the results obtained with computed tomography in spinal cord diseases
Milosh Perovitch in Radiological Evaluation of the Spinal Cord, 2019
Computed tomography (CT) has been utilized lately for the evaluation of the spine and spinal cord, and, so far, the experience with this technique has remained limited. Some investigators made the first attempt to determine, on CT images, the diameters of the spinal canal in order to distinguish more precisely its normal size and shape from pathologic changes that occur in various diseases of the spine. The experience gained, so far, is rather restricted, and available reports in the literature are scarce in comparison to the numerous studies dealing with the application of CT in brain diseases or lesions of other organs. Following the successful application of CT as a diagnostic tool in brain and skull diseases, its utilization was extended to the body and spinal column. The technique of CT applied to the spine varies, depending upon the model of the used equipment. The evaluation of the spinal cord lesions by CT is in its initial phase.
Embryology of the Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerves, and Vertebrae
Jean-Pierre Monnet, Yves Harmand in Pediatric Regional Anesthesia, 2019
The histogenesis of the spinal cord and nerve cells is a long process: it will be achieved later, after birth, up to the sixth or seventh year of life. The process of myelination begins in the cervical part of the spinal cord and extends caudad. Ventral roots are myelinated before the dorsal roots, and myelination of the white columns of the spinal cord begins during the sixth month of intrauterine life in the posterior columns; the seventh month in the spinocerebellar and spinothalamic tracts; and the ninth month in the descending motor tracts. The development of the spinal cord and vertebrae is a complex phenomenon. The embryonic disc elongates and the primitive streak and Hensen’s node appear to be carried caudad, since the cephalic area grows more rapidly. The embryo changes its shape, becoming first oval, then pear shaped.
Anterior Spinal Cord Syndrome of Unknown Etiology
Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 2015
Merrine Klakeel, Justin Thompson, Rajashree Srinivasan, Frank Mcdonald
A spinal cord injury encompasses a physical insult to the spinal cord. In the case of anterior spinal cord syndrome, the insult is a vascular lesion at the anterior spinal artery. We present the cases of two 13-year-old boys with anterior spinal cord syndrome, along with a review of the anatomy and vasculature of the spinal cord and an explanation of how a lesion in the cord corresponds to anterior spinal cord syndrome.
What to call spinal cord damage not due to trauma? Implications for literature searching
Published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2012
Peter W. New, Veronica Delafosse
Objectives To illustrate the importance of multiple search terms and databases when searching publications on spinal cord damage not due to trauma. To develop comprehensive search filter for this subject, compare the results for 2000–2009 with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Emtree term ‘spinal cord diseases’ and determine changes in the number of articles over this period. Design Literature searches and search filter development. Setting Australia. Interventions Titles and abstracts searched in MEDLINE and EMBASE (2000–2009) for articles involving humans using search terms ‘non-traumatic spinal cord injury’ and ‘nontraumatic spinal cord injury’ (concise search). Develop comprehensive search filter for ‘spinal cord damage not due to trauma’ and compare the results with the MeSH term ‘spinal cord diseases.’ Outcome measures Annual publications (2000–2009) identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE literature searches. Results Concise search identified 35 articles published during 2000–2009. More publications were identified using the term ‘nontraumatic spinal cord injury’ (n = 20) than ‘non-traumatic spinal cord injury’ (n = 16). Publications increased for both terms ‘spinal cord diseases’ (2000 = 279; 2009 = 415) and ‘spinal cord damage not due to trauma’ identified by the comprehensive search filter (2000 = 1251; 2009 = 1921). Conclusions Concise searches using terms ‘non-traumatic spinal cord injury’ and ‘nontraumatic spinal cord injury’ fail to identify relevant articles unless combinations of terms and databases are used. These are inadequate search terms for a comprehensive search. Further research is needed to validate our comprehensive search filter. An international consensus process is required to establish an agreed term for ‘spinal cord damage not due to trauma.’
Axonal Sprouting Following Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: An Experimental Model
Published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 1997
Barry Goldstein, W. Little James, M. Harris Roger
Recovery of function following incomplete spinal cord injury may in part result from growth of new connections by spared descending pathways. It has been difficult to demonstrate such anatomical reorganization with traditional anatomic techniques. This study utilizes an immunocytochemical method to demonstrate axonal growth cones within the lumbar spinal cord in rats recovering from an incomplete midthoracic spinal cord injury. Adult rats underwent subtotal section of the midthoracic cord sparing the left lateral funiculus and a portion of the left ventral funiculus. Light microscope immunocytochemistry was performed on sections of lumbar spinal cord with antibodies to identify sprouting axons. These antibodies were used to determine the distribution of growth cones on both sides of the lumbar spinal cord in experimental and control animals. Growth cones were first observed three days after the spinal cord lesion. Specific labeling, similar in appearance to previous reports of growth cone identification, was apparent within the intermediate gray and ventral horns on both sides of the cord. These data support the hypothesis of collateral sprouting distal to the lesion site following incomplete spinal cord injury. It further supports the idea that recovery of function following incomplete spinal cord injury is, in part, mediated by spared descending pathways. (J Spinal Cord Med 1997; 20:200-206)