[Spinal cord injuries -- opinions represented by neurologists].

Neurologists distinguish two mechanisms of spinal cord injury (SCI): a closed injury and a penetrating injury. A mechanical damage to the spinal cord, particularly to its central segment, results in a secondary injury to the nervous tissue (such as ischemia and spinal cord edema). A neurological examination following SCI is primarily aimed at the injury assessment and evaluation on rating scales. The extent of injury is defined by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (modified from the Frankel classification). Neurologists distinguish several characteristic syndromes of partial SCI: the Brown-Sequard syndrome, central cord syndrome, anterior spinal artery syndrome, posterior spinal cord contusion and spinal cord concussion. The incidence of SCI is estimated at 25-35 persons per 1 million population, including 80-85% males. Sixty one percent of the injured parties are between the ages of 16 and 30 years. Nearly one half of SCI cases results from traffic accidents. The most frequently affected segments include the cervical spinal cord (C1-C8) level and the thoracolumbar (ThL) spinal cord.