Retrospective study of functional outcomes and disability after non-ischaemic vascular causes of spinal cord dysfunction

This study looks at the outcomes of rehabilitation for people with spinal cord dysfunction caused by non-ischemic vascular issues. These issues include things like bleeding or malformations in the blood vessels of the spinal cord. The researchers reviewed the records of 36 patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit over a 21-year period. They looked at factors like age, gender, causes of the dysfunction, and how well patients could move and function after rehabilitation. The study found that most patients improved their functional abilities after rehabilitation, but many still had significant disabilities. A large number of patients were discharged home, but some required ongoing support or had to go to a nursing home.

• 1
  The most common causes of non-ischemic vascular spinal cord dysfunction were epidural hematoma (39%), dural arteriovenous fistula (17%), and arteriovenous malformation (11%).
• 2
  A significant portion of cases (61%) were related to medical procedures or treatments (iatrogenic), such as bleeding following spinal surgeries, warfarin therapy, and spinal procedures.
• 3
  Patients showed significant improvement in functional independence measure (FIM) motor scores from admission to discharge (P < 0.001).