Epidemiology, physiopathology, and experimental therapeutics of acute spinal cord injury.

This article analyzes the epidemiological factors relating to acute spinal cord injury. It also delineates the anatomical and rheological characteristics of the spinal cord and denotes the latest concepts in autoregulation of spinal cord blood flow. The physiopathology of spinal cord injury is examined in terms of existing animal models, responses of the white and grey matter, and biochemical and biomechanical correlates. Experimental and clinical therapeutic modalities ranging from hypothermia to opioid antagonists, and adrenergic blockers to free radical scavengers are evaluated.