Sensory Perception in Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Overview

Journal Acta Neurol Scand

Specialty Neurology

Date 2004 Feb 7

PMID 14763957

Citations 20

Authors

N B Finnerup

C Gyldensted

A Fuglsang-Frederiksen

F W Bach

T S Jensen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe sensations evoked by painful or repetitive stimulation below injury level in patients with a clinically complete (American Spinal Injury Association, ASIA Grade A) spinal cord injury (SCI).

Material And Methods: Twenty-four patients (11 with central neuropathic pain and 13 without pain) with a traumatic SCI above the tenth thoracic vertebra were examined using quantitative sensory testing, MR imaging, and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP).

Results: Painful (pressure, pinch, heat or cold) or repetitive (pinprick) stimuli elicited vague localized sensations in 12 patients (50%). Pain, spasticity, and spasms were equally seen in SCI patients with or without localized sensations. SEP and MRI did not differentiate between these two groups.

Conclusion: The present study suggests retained sensory communication across the injury in complete SCI, i.e. 'sensory discomplete' SCI.

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