Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormalities in Children

소아의 척추 외상

  • Yang, Hong-Ki (Dept. of Physical Therapy, Yonsei Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center) ;
  • Doo, Jung-Hee (Dept. of Physical Therapy, Yonsei Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center)
  • 양홍기 (연세의료원 재활병원 물리치료실) ;
  • 두정희 (연세의료원 재활병원 물리치료실)
  • Published : 1996.05.18

Abstract

Spinal cord injury in child often occurs without evidence of fracture or dislocation. The mechanisms of neural damage in this syndrome of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality(SCIWORA) include flexion, hyperextension, longitudinal distraction, and ischemia. Inherent elasticity of the vertebral column in infants and young children, among other age-related anatomical peculiarities, render the pediatric spine exceedingly vulnerable to deforming forces. The neurological lesions encountered in this syndrome include a high incidence of complete and severe partial cord lesions. Children younger than 8years old sustain more serious neurological damage and suffer a larger number of upper cervical cord lesions than children aged over 8 years. Of the children with SCIWORA. 52% have delayed onset of paralysis up to 4 days after injury, and most of these children recall transient paresthesia, numbness, or subjective paralysis. The long-term prognosis in cases of SCIWORA is grim. Most children with complete and severe lesions do not recover; only those with initially mild neural injuries make satisfactory neurological recovery.

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