ABSTRACT
Annually, between 250 000 to 500 000 people suffer a spinal cord trauma (SCT) worldwide. The typical patient is male and between 20–29 or over 70 years of age. Most of the SCT cases stem from preventable causes such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, or interpersonal violence. SCT has enormous consequences for patients, relatives and society. The symptoms of SCT depend on the extent of the injury, including loss of sensory or motor control, and of autonomic regulation. In comparison with persons without SCT, patients with SCT are two to five times more likely to die prematurely. Mortality risk is highest in the first year after the traumatizing event and remains high compared to the general population. Usually, patients succumb to infectious complications due to immobility because of motor paralysis. A rare life-threatening condition in the early phase of spinal cord trauma is neurogenic shock. Spinal cord trauma may be divided into primary and secondary mechanisms of injury. Neuropathologic findings in the traumatized spinal cord include contusions, compressive damage, lacerations, or transections.
