Spinal cord
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Comparative Study
Neoplastic myelopathies and traumatic spinal cord lesions: an Italian comparison of functional and neurological outcomes.
Although neoplastic spinal cord injuries (NSCIs) constitute ∼25% of all non-traumatic spinal cord lesions, patients with such pathologies are seldom, if ever, admitted to specialized centers; further, their rehabilitation typically is short because of the perception that rehabilitation prolongs hospital stays unnecessarily and is reserved only for patients with very good prognoses. ⋯ Although they had slightly disparate functional levels at admission, NSCI and TSCI patients had the same outcomes at discharge. Our data suggest that in a selected cohort of NSCI patients, rehabilitation is as successful as that in TSCI subjects and allows most patients to be discharged instead of being institutionalized.
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Cross-sectional survey. ⋯ Functional independence, especially ability to drive, was strongly associated with return to work and should be one of the priority goals of comprehensive rehabilitation of persons with SCI. The negative impact of recent hospitalization as well as financial compensation needs to be probed further.
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All randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort, case-controlled, pre-post studies and case reports that assessed exercise interventions, which influence arterial structure and function after spinal cord injury (SCI), were included. ⋯ Although the quality and volume of evidence is low, the literature supports exercise as a useful intervention technique for improving arterial function in those with SCI.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The effect of polytrauma as a possible confounder in the outcome of monotraumatic vs polytraumatic paraplegic patients: a clinical cohort study.
Clinical cohort study. ⋯ The prognosis of polytraumatic paraplegics in terms of neurological recovery is not inferior to those with monotrauma. Multiple-injured patients need a prolonged hospital stay to reach the functional outcome of monotraumatic patients.
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Prospective, nonrandomized, observational cohort study. ⋯ Serum PCT is a more reliable biologic marker for the early prediction of postoperative infectious complications in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury compared with CRP. PCT can early identify postoperative infections for establishing effective antibiotic therapy.