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Rev Esp Salud Publica 2020 Jul 13;94. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Supervisora de Enfermería de la sala de hospitalización A2. Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos. Toledo. España.

Objective: The effects of the Covid-19 health emergency have demonstrated the high vulnerability of people residing in medium and long-stay centers, with high mortality rates. Little data is available about contingency protocols to minimize the spread of the virus in these centers. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 and the preventive and management measures adopted at the National Hospital for Paraplegics (Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) to minimize the risk of transmission of Covid-19. Read More

Cell Tissue Bank 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Acute respiratory infections as one of the most common problems of healthcare systems also can be considered as an important reason for worldwide morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Coronaviruses are a group of well-known respiratory viruses that can cause acute respiratory infections. At the current state, the 2019 novel coronavirus is cited as the most worldwide problematic agent for the respiratory system. Read More

Nurs Child Young People 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Crawford-McKenzie, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, England.

This article is the fourth in a series on the biological basis of child health. It explains the embryological development of the nervous system and describes some of the anatomical and physiological features of the central nervous system, which is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. It also outlines the principles of neurological assessment in infants and children, before detailing the presentation and management of three conditions that can affect the central nervous system in this patient population - seizures, meningitis and raised intracranial pressure. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020 May 30;44:102248. Epub 2020 May 30.

Coloplast GmbH, Kuehnstraße 75, 22045 Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NULTD) is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); nevertheless, it is often underestimated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated due to patients' sense of shame, variability of symptoms, as well as lack of communication between neurologists and urologists, despite the availability of several guidelines based on scientific evidence and expert opinion.

Objective: This study was conducted to develop an easy-to-perform algorithm for diagnosing neurogenic lower urinary tract disease in patients with MS for daily neurological and urological routine, including the identification of red flags.

Methods: In consensus group meetings, interprofessional experts (neurologists, urologists, neurourologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists as well as representatives of national MS centers, self-care groups, social care, residential care, and health-aid-providers) developed a diagnostic algorithm to detect NULTD in patients with MS. Read More

Mol Med 2020 06 16;26(1):58. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

In light of the present therapeutic situation in COVID-19, any measure to improve course and outcome of seriously affected individuals is of utmost importance. We recap here evidence that supports the use of human recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) for ameliorating course and outcome of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. This brief expert review grounds on available subject-relevant literature searched until May 14, 2020, including Medline, Google Scholar, and preprint servers. Read More

J Fish Dis 2020 Jun 15. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.

Laboratory zebrafish are commonly infected with the intracellular, brain-infecting microsporidian parasite Pseudoloma neurophilia. Chronic P. neurophilia infections induce inflammation in meninges, brain and spinal cord, and have been suggested to affect neural functions since parasite clusters reside inside neurons. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 06 10;5(1):57. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Urology Section (112), 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 06 10;5(1):56. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

McGovern Medical School, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Houston, TX, USA.

The current Medicare payment structure and some of the recent guidelines aimed at reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections may be generating a financial incentive for the protocolized, systematic removal of indwelling catheters in hospitalized patients-including those with spinal cord injury. This creates a tension with the Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine's clinical practice guidelines for the management of neurogenic bladder. This article presents a series of cases and a discussion of the implications with regard to patient safety and quality of life. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2020 Jun 7;13(6). Epub 2020 Jun 7.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.

We describe a rare case of bloodstream infection and disseminated septic arthritis in a relatively fit and well 73-year-old retired farmer and gamekeeper, due to the zoonotic organism The presence of the organism in multiple joints led to slow clinical response to treatment and was complicated by relapse of infection and lengthy disability. Source control was achieved with multiple joint washouts and spinal cord decompression. Following this, a 6-week course of intravenous antibiotics was required for complete clearance of infection. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Oct;32(10):898-903

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Yuncheng Central Hospital, Yuncheng 044000, Shanxi, China;

Objective: To evaluate the early predictive value of immature granulocytes(IGs) in postoperative infection in patients with spinal injury.

Methods: The clinical data of 78 patients with spinal cord injury underwent surgery from October 2016 to October 2018 were collected. There were 57 males and 21 females, aged from 45 to 63 years old with an average of (55. Read More

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2020 09 1;7(5). Epub 2020 Jun 1.

From the Department of Neuroscience (G.N., E.P., D.F.), Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS; Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (T.R., L.R., M.I.), IRCCS; Department of Neuroradiology (L.S., C.R.), Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS, Genova, Italy; Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL) (L.R.), University of Genova; and Department of Neuroscience (M.I.), Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Italy.

Br J Neurosurg 2020 Jun 1:1-4. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.

Data about postoperative infections in male adults with spinal cord injury are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the association between prior exposure to pressure ulcers (PU) and the risk of postoperative infections in male adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). We conducted a prospective study of male adults receiving surgery of SCI from January 2007 to December 2019. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2020 May 27;13(5). Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.

Syringomyelia is the development of a fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) within the spinal cord and is an extremely rare chronic manifestation of tuberculosis. The syrinx so formed may expand over time, causing compression or destruction of spinal tracts and surrounding nerve roots. Development of syringomyelia in a patient of Pott's disease is particularly infrequent. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 May 27;21(1):329. Epub 2020 May 27.

Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, Ludwig-Guttmann-Strasse 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Background: The treatment of fracture-related infections (FRI) is still a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The prevalence of FRI is particularly high in open fractures with extensive soft-tissue damage. This study aimed to develop a new two-step animal model for non-unions with segmental bone defects, which could be used to evaluate new innovative bone substitutes to improve the therapeutic options in humans with FRI and bone defects. Read More

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2020 07 22;7(4). Epub 2020 May 22.

From the APHM (G.B., J.-F.H., S.C., N.G., J.-P.S.), Neuroradiology Department, La Timone University Hospital; APHM (E.K.), Department of Neurology, La Timone University Hospital; APHM (J.C.), Intensive Care Unit, La Timone University Hospital; Aix-Marseille University (N.G.), UMR CNRS 7339; and APHM (J.-P.S.), La Timone University Hospital, CEMEREM, Marseille, France.

Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020 May 19;8(1):73. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.

Infections by opportunistic non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are rising in global incidence. One emerging, slowly growing NTM is Mycobacterium haemophilum, which can cause skin, lung, bone, and soft tissue infections in immunocompromised patients as well as lymphadenitis in immunocompetent individuals. Detection of this microorganism is difficult using conventional culture-based methods and few reports have documented involvement of this pathogen within the central nervous system (CNS). Read More

J Neurol Sci 2020 07 11;414:116893. Epub 2020 May 11.

Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center, ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence (CTCE), Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute - Charlotte, Carolinas Medical Center Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Charlotte Campus, United States of America.

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 May 16;21(1):307. Epub 2020 May 16.

Department of Orthopedics, Ningbo NO.6 Hospital, 1059 Zhongsandong Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315040, People's Republic of China.

Background: Posterior occipitocervical fixation and fusion are often required to address occipitocervical instability. Safe, stable internal fixation with screws is vital for the success of such surgery. Thus, poor selection of an internal fixation technique may cause fixation and fusion failure, possibly leading to neurovascular injury. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 May 15;10(1):8125. Epub 2020 May 15.

Academic Neurosurgery Unit, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George's, University of London, London, UK.

In five patients with acute, severe thoracic traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCIs), American spinal injuries association Impairment Scale (AIS) grades A-C, we induced cord hypothermia (33 °C) then rewarming (37 °C). A pressure probe and a microdialysis catheter were placed intradurally at the injury site to monitor intraspinal pressure (ISP), spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP), tissue metabolism and inflammation. Cord hypothermia-rewarming, applied to awake patients, did not cause discomfort or neurological deterioration. Read More

Spinal Cord 2020 May 14. Epub 2020 May 14.

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey of the Neurogenic Bladder Research Group (NBRG) registry; a multicenter prospective observation study.

Objectives: To assess how patient-reported urinary tract infections (PRUTIs) in spinal cord injury (SCI) affect quality of life (QOL).

Setting: Multiple United States hospitals. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020 05 13;6(1):39. Epub 2020 May 13.

Department of Rehabilitation, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo, Toledo, Spain.

Study Design: Cohort study of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objectives: To describe the clinical and analytical features of a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infected cohort with SCI to enable accurate diagnosis and to outline prevention measures.

Setting: This study was conducted at the National Hospital for Paraplegics (Toledo, Spain). Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020 05 13;6(1):38. Epub 2020 May 13.

South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA.

Curr Opin Urol 2020 Jul;30(4):486-490

Department of Urology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to update the studies involving the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in neurogenic patients, published in the last two years.

Recent Findings: Treatment of neurogenic LUTS (NLUTS) patients with β3 adrenoreceptor agonists was investigated in real-life conditions. A randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of antimuscarinics versus onabotulinum toxin A in neurogenic patients. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020 05 11;6(1):35. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan has rapidly become a global public health pandemic. As of March 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has described priority levels for testing patients with suspected COVID-19 and information on when to seek medical attention. However, there is a paucity of further guidance for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) who may not present with typical symptoms of COVID-19 due to altered physiology. Read More

Spinal Cord 2020 06 5;58(6):726-727. Epub 2020 May 5.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

J Comp Pathol 2020 Apr 4;176:19-32. Epub 2020 Mar 4.

Department of Pathology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address:

Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) are the major causes of hand, foot and mouth disease in young children. Although less so with CV-A16, both viruses are associated with serious neurological syndromes, but the differences between their central nervous system infections remain unclear. We conducted a comparative infection study using clinically-isolated CV-A16 and EV-A71 strains in a 1-day-old mouse model to better understand the neuropathology and neurovirulence of the viruses. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2020 Apr 28;20(9). Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, 26493 Wonju, Korea.

In the Republic of Korea, 90.5% of those living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are faced with medical complications that require chronic care. Some of the more common ones include urinary tract infections, pressure sores, and pain symptomatology. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 06 27;138:548-550. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

J Spinal Cord Med 2020 05;43(3):279

Assistant Editor.

Spinal Cord 2020 05 28;58(5):517-519. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Department of Rehabilitation, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos of Toledo, Toledo, Spain.

Infect Disord Drug Targets 2020 Apr 27. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, New Mexico. United States.

Case Report: We report a case of spinal abscess/osteomyelitis at the T9-T10 levels in a non-immunocompromised patient who presented with lower extremity weakness secondary to a Mycobacterium abscessus infection. This patient was successfully treated with surgical debridement with amikacin-tigecycline-imipenem triple therapy before and after her debridement. Outcomes and treatment with this rare cause of epidural abscess/osteomyelitis are not well defined at this time. Read More

Curr Opin Infect Dis 2020 Jun;33(3):251-258

Department of Infectious Diseases, Section of Neurologic Infections, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The patient who presents with an acute spinal cord syndrome with weakness/paralysis of the limbs presents a diagnostic. Two important syndromes are acute transverse myelitis (ATM) and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Both can be caused by a number of infectious and noninfectious causes. Read More

Urology 2020 Jul 20;141:e7. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Department of Urology, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

A 43-year-old woman with paralysis and neurogenic bladder secondary to a gunshot wound presented with worsening urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections. On workup she was found to have two large bladder stones with diameters of around 11 cm. She was managed with antibiotics and surgical removal. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 04 23;14(4):e0008223. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France.

Usutu virus (USUV), an African mosquito-borne flavivirus closely related to West Nile virus, was first isolated in South Africa in 1959. USUV emerged in Europe two decades ago, causing notably massive mortality in Eurasian blackbirds. USUV is attracting increasing attention due to its potential for emergence and its rapid spread in Europe in recent years. Read More

Bone Joint J 2020 Jun 23;102-B(6):671-676. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Neurosurgery Unit, Emergency and Urgency Department, A.S.S.T. Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy.

Aims: The current pandemic caused by COVID-19 is the biggest challenge for national health systems for a century. While most medical resources are allocated to treat COVID-19 patients, several non-COVID-19 medical emergencies still need to be treated, including vertebral fractures and spinal cord compression. The aim of this paper is to report the early experience and an organizational protocol for emergency spinal surgery currently being used in a large metropolitan area by an integrated team of orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Read More

Urology 2020 Apr 19. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA; Department of Urologic Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA.

Objectives: To evaluate an alternative to clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) for individuals with neurogenic bladder for its effects on independence, privacy, and convenience. This prospective cohort study provides an initial assessment of quality of life, safety, and efficacy of closed diurnal indwelling catheterization (CDIC).

Materials And Methods: Individuals with spinal cord disorders using CIC were prospectively screened at multidisciplinary clinic appointments. Read More

Spinal Cord 2020 06 21;58(6):724-725. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Emerg Med Australas 2020 Apr 19. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

Emergency Department, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) present distinct physiological and social considerations for the emergency physician. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these considerations may generate unique challenges for emergency physicians managing patients with SCIs. Physiological disruptions may alter the way SCI patients present with COVID-19. Read More

Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2020 Apr;52(2):275-280

Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.

Objective: To summarize the feature and treatment of the primary intraspinal abscess in order to improve the prognosis.

Methods: In the study, 13 cases of primary intraspinal abscess of the recent 20 years were retrospectively analyzed. The history, etiology, pathogen, surgical methods and prognosis were summarized. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020 04 17;6(1):22. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Spinal Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze, Italy.

Introduction: We present the report of the first, to our best knowledge, case of COVID-19 in a tetraplegic person.

Case Presentation: A 56-year-old male with AIS A C4 tetraplegia developed fever during the night, without any prodrome. His general practitioner suspected a urinary tract infection and prescribed him antibiotic therapy. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020 04 15;6(1):21. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Spinal Unit and Spinal Rehabilitation (SpiRe) Lab, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia, Rome, Italy.

Study Design: An online survey.

Objectives: To query the international spinal cord medicine community's engagement with and response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to assess pandemic-specific information needs and patient concerns.

Setting: An international collaboration of authors and participants. Read More

Acta Neurol Taiwan 2020 Mar;29(1):12-17

Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung branch, Taiwan.

Purpose: Guillain-Barré syndrome concomitant with spinal cord involvement, which is defined as Guillain-Barré syndrome and acute transverse myelitis overlap syndrome, is rarely seen in the elders. Here we present a 68-year-old female patient who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome, as well as acute transverse myelitis at the same episode.

Case Report: This patient developed acute weakness of lower limbs, which then rapidly became tetraplegia and hyporeflexia within 5 days. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Apr 9;139:268-273. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

Background: No formalized surgical treatment strategy exists for a thoracic epidural abscess. Although endoscopic approaches have been described for the treatment of spinal infections, this is the first report of an endoscopic transforaminal approach for the drainage of a thoracic/lumbar epidural abscess with placement of indwelling abscess drain. We present a novel use of a known endoscopic approach and describe a minimally invasive surgical option for ventrally located thoracic epidural abscesses. Read More

J Infect 2020 07 8;81(1):147-178. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 600 South Wanping Road, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Neuromodulation 2020 Apr 8. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

Department of Neurosurgery, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France, PRISMATICS Lab, Faculty of Medicine, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France.

Introduction: In the PROMISE study, a multinational randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) with multicolumn surgical leads as a treatment of low back pain, clinicians followed their usual practice. An early, unplanned safety analysis revealed that the infection rate in Belgium (5/23), where trial duration was a median 21.5 days, was significantly higher than the 1/64 rate observed in the other study countries (median 5. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020 04 7;6(1):19. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Telerehabilitation International Co, Birmingham, Al, USA.

N Engl J Med 2020 04;382(14):1353-1359

From the Departments of Medicine (C.I., F.M.M., A.L.M., J.L.) and Neurology (H.V.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (C.I., F.M.M., A.L.M., J.L.) and Neurology (H.V.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston.

Bone Joint J 2020 Apr;102-B(4):519-523

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and analyze the trends of surgeon-reported complications following surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) over a 13-year period from the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Morbidity and Mortality database.

Methods: All patients with AIS between ten and 18 years of age, entered into the SRS Morbidity and Mortality database between 2004 and 2016, were analyzed. All perioperative complications were evaluated for correlations with associated factors. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 27;138:504-511.e8. Epub 2020 Mar 27.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Objective: Spinal involvement in neurocysticercosis is rare and can lead to debilitating injury if not diagnosed and treated early. We aim to provide the reader with a thorough analysis of the best available evidence regarding patient characteristics, optimal treatment modality, and outcomes in cases of spinal neurocysticercosis.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases was made according to the PRISMA guidelines. Read More

N Engl J Med 2020 Mar;382(13):e23