THE ROLE OF EDEMA IN SPINAL CORD INJURY

摘要

Damage inflicted to the spinal cord occurs in 2 distinct phases. So-called "primary" injury refers specifically to the mechanical disruption of the spinal cord tissue including central nervous system (CNS) structures and the vasculature. This primarydamage is followed by a period of "secondary" injury during which progression of tissue damage and cell death occurs that can last hours to weeks after initial insult. Although treatment to reverse neurologic deficits resulting from initial primary injury does not currently exits, the period of secondary injury is considered to be the phase in which therapeutic measures could be taken to halt the process of ongoing cell loss. However, to date investigators have obtained limited results.