Outcome of Delayed Surgery in Treatment of Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome without Fracture or Instability: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: The optimal surgical timing for acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) without fracture or instability has not been established. The purpose of this study is to explore the outcome of delayed surgery in treatment of ATCCS and to investigate potential factors associated with postoperative neurological improvement. Methods: Patients who underwent delayed surgery for ATCCS with at least 2 year follow up time were retrospectively reviewed. Parameters including age, gender, traumatic mechanism, interval to operation, surgical procedures, and complications were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to determine levels of spinal cord signal change and concomitant pathology. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated and compared at admission and the 2 year follow-up visit for neurologic function assessment. Correlations of neurological improvement and age, traumatic mechanism, interval to operation, surgical procedures, concomitant pathology, and preoperative neurological function were investigated by Spearman ’ s correlation test. Results: A total of 39 patients (M:F=28:11, mean age 52.2±10.4 yrs) were enrolled into this study. 21 cases were caused by falls followed by 16 by motor-vehicle accidents and 2 by sports. 19 patients presented with preexisting cervical disc herniation (CDH)，12 with spinal canal stenosis (SCS), 5 with OPLL, and 3 with a combined pathology of CDH and CS. 14 samples received ACDF procedure, 8 obtained ACCF, and 17 underwent posterior unilateral open-door laminoplasty. The mean interval from trauma to surgery was 20.8±3.7 days. All cases except three (ASIA B) showed improvement of ASIA grades with a mean improvement of 1.1±0.5 grades at 2-year follow-up. JOA scores significantly improved from 6.3±3.1 points at admission to 11.4±3.9 points at 2-year follow up. No difference of neurological improvement was found between different procedures groups. No correlation was showed between neurological improvement and age, concomitant pathology, traumatic mechanism, interval to operation, surgical procedures, or preoperative neurological function. Conclusions: Delayed surgery was a feasible and effective therapy for ATCCS without fracture or instability although long-term outcome and more details still need to be investigated.