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Comparing Surgical Decompression Versus Conservative Treatment in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

NCT01367405 · Status: TERMINATED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 1

Last updated 2016-10-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome (TCCS) was until recent recognized as a separate clinical entity. The most characteristic feature is the disproportionate more motor impairment of the arms and especially the hands than the legs, bladder dysfunction and sensory.

Recently, it has been shown that the distinction of TCCS with an incomplete cervical spinal cord lesion (ICSCL) is artificial. It is the most frequent incomplete traumatic spinal cord lesion. It accounts for up to 70 % of all incomplete cervical spinal cord lesions. The exact incidence is not known.

Uncertainty about the treatment exists. A good recovery has been described after conservative treatment. Conservative treatment was usually considered when a fracture or dislocation of the spine were absent. It is often seen in hyperextension trauma in the elderly with degenerative spondylotic stenotic cervical spine. However, some reports suggest a better outcome after surgical decompression. Randomized trials have not been performed. To avoid discussion about possible confounding or effect modification related to the mechanism of trauma, this study will focus on ICSCL in patients without fracture or instability of the cervical spine on radiological examination. Also the problem of crossover from the conservative group to the surgical one due to the nature of spinal instability will be reduced.

Goal of the study: To compare the efficacy of early decompressive surgery to improve functional outcome in patients with ICSCL without a fracture or instability of the cervical spine compared to those receiving conservative treatment.

Definition of ICSCL in this study: ICSCL is an incomplete spinal cord lesion due to a cervical spine trauma. At CT scanning with reconstruction and at MRI signs are not seen that could indicate a fracture of the cervical spine or instability. An overt sequestrated herniated disc should not be present since this will always necessitate immediate surgery. Involvement of the cervical spinal cord should be established at physical examination (symptomatic arm or hand dysfunction is obligatory).

Conditions

  • Central Spinal Cord Syndrome

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Surgical decompression

Surgical decompression within 24 hour postinjury

PROCEDURE

Conservative treatment

Usual conservative treatment without surgery

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Radboud University Medical Center

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Ronald Bartels, M.D.,Ph.D. · Radboud University Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2013-10-31
Primary Completion
2015-06-30
Completion
2015-06-30

Countries

  • Netherlands

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01367405 on ClinicalTrials.gov