Acute neurologic management of the patient with spinal cord injury.

Early and effective spinal immobilization, physiological support, precise radiographic analysis, and surgical intervention tailored to the specific anatomic pathology form the basis for appropriate management of spinal injury. Despite improvements in each of these areas, however, the neurologic outcome in patients with severe deficits remains problematic. Research into the prevention of adverse metabolic changes that occur in the acutely injured spinal cord may offer hope for improved outcomes.