STUDY DESIGN Segmental arteries were interrupted bilaterally for up to 7 levels to study the effects on spinal cord blood flow and neurologic function in dogs. OBJECTIVE To examine how many ligations of bilateral segmental arteries cause ischemic spinal cord dysfunction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Interruption of bilateral segmental arteries for up to 3 levels has been reported not to damag...

Spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating of all traumatic conditions that can be encountered by patients. Over the past years much research has been performed on elucidating the mechanisms of spinal cord injury. Experimental and clinical studies have suggested that acute spinal cord injury is a two-step process involving primary and secondary mechanisms. Primary injury of the spinal co...

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of hypermagnesemia on spinal metabolic rate. The 2-[14C]deoxyglucose technique was used to measure regional glucose utilization in the lumbar spinal cord of paralyzed, mechanically ventilated rats receiving 70% nitrous oxide and an intravenous infusion of either saline (n = 5) or magnesium sulfate (n = 5). Plasma magnesium concentrations we...

Secondary motor dysfunction is often observed following ischemic episodes in the central nervous system. To study potential mechanisms of postischemic motor deterioration, we developed a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model that has characteristics similar to the clinical condition termed deteriorating stroke. In this model, 70% of the rabbits regained substantial motor function by 4 hours after c...