Bunyami Unal1, Suleyman Kaplan2, Ersan Odaci3, Huseyin Aslan4, Selina Aksak1, Deniz Unal1, B Zuhal Altunkaynak2, Cemal Gundogdu5, Ahmet Gokyar6. 1. Ataturk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Erzurum, Turkey. 2. Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Samsun, Turkey. 3. Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Trabzon, Turkey. 4. Gaziosmanpasa University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Tokat, Turkey. 5. Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Erzurum, Turkey. 6. Gazi State Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic, Samsun, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord injury is a common trauma among severe accidents in which the spinal cord has been severed; intravenous methylprednisolone and hypothermia are widely used in the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injuries. However, no common consensus has been reached on therapeutic approaches to prevent and reduce disability caused by spinal cord injuries. In this study, the efficacy of methylprednisolone and hypothermia treatments after experimental spinal cord injury made by dynamic weight-drop model in rabbits was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experiment consists of three groups: injured, methylprednisolone-treated and hypothermia-treated groups. The methylprednisolone-treated group received intravenous methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg/day) immediately after spinal cord injury for three days. In the hypothermia-treated group, cold isotonic saline (5°C) was infused via a cannula into the epidural space at a rate of 10 ml/min. The temperature of the tissue was allowed to reach 25ºC, and then isotonic saline solution was given at a rate of 5 ml/min for 3 hours. Saline was given to the injured group following spinal cord injury. After 1 week of experimental injury, mid-thoracic level tissue was removed from the spinal cord for histopathological evaluation and subsequent stereological analysis. RESULTS: The volume of spinal cord segment, not only parenchyma of grey and white matter but also cavity, was estimated by the Cavalieri principle. Significant differences were seen between the injured group and methylprednisolone /hypothermia-treated groups in terms of the total volume cavity of spinal cord segment; cavity volume in the grey matter and cavity volume in the white matter. No significant differences were seen between methylprednisolone and hypothermia-treated groups in terms of the total volume cavity of spinal cord segment; cavity volume in the grey matter and cavity volume in the white matter. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that both methylprednisolone and hypothermia treatment are neuroprotective in preventing spinal cord tissue from tissue damage after experimental injury.
OBJECTIVE:Spinal cord injury is a common trauma among severe accidents in which the spinal cord has been severed; intravenous methylprednisolone and hypothermia are widely used in the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injuries. However, no common consensus has been reached on therapeutic approaches to prevent and reduce disability caused by spinal cord injuries. In this study, the efficacy of methylprednisolone and hypothermia treatments after experimental spinal cord injury made by dynamic weight-drop model in rabbits was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experiment consists of three groups: injured, methylprednisolone-treated and hypothermia-treated groups. The methylprednisolone-treated group received intravenous methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg/day) immediately after spinal cord injury for three days. In the hypothermia-treated group, cold isotonic saline (5°C) was infused via a cannula into the epidural space at a rate of 10 ml/min. The temperature of the tissue was allowed to reach 25ºC, and then isotonic saline solution was given at a rate of 5 ml/min for 3 hours. Saline was given to the injured group following spinal cord injury. After 1 week of experimental injury, mid-thoracic level tissue was removed from the spinal cord for histopathological evaluation and subsequent stereological analysis. RESULTS: The volume of spinal cord segment, not only parenchyma of grey and white matter but also cavity, was estimated by the Cavalieri principle. Significant differences were seen between the injured group and methylprednisolone /hypothermia-treated groups in terms of the total volume cavity of spinal cord segment; cavity volume in the grey matter and cavity volume in the white matter. No significant differences were seen between methylprednisolone and hypothermia-treated groups in terms of the total volume cavity of spinal cord segment; cavity volume in the grey matter and cavity volume in the white matter. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that both methylprednisolone and hypothermia treatment are neuroprotective in preventing spinal cord tissue from tissue damage after experimental injury.
Authors: Q Y Gong; J N Brunt; C S Romaniuk; J P Oakley; L T Tan; N Roberts; G H Whitehouse; B Jones Journal: Br J Radiol Date: 1999-12 Impact factor: 3.039
Authors: S D Weirich; H B Cotler; P A Narayana; J D Hazle; E F Jackson; K J Coupe; C L McDonald; L A Langford; J H Harris Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 1990-07 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: D W Marion; L E Penrod; S F Kelsey; W D Obrist; P M Kochanek; A M Palmer; S R Wisniewski; S T DeKosky Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1997-02-20 Impact factor: 91.245