Spinal cord monitoring of experimental incomplete cervical spinal cord injury: a preliminary report.

Incomplete spinal cord injuries occur as a result of contusion and mechanical compression of neural tissue. Anterior spinal cord compression may physiologically prevent optimal recovery of spinal cord function for varying periods of time. The aim of this research was to study an animal model of incomplete cervical cord injury with a spinal cord monitoring system utilizing computer-averaged cortical evoked potentials. Two animal models were utilized: a contusion injury by the weight drop method and an anterior cord compression injury. Results indicate that incomplete cord injuries of both types will recover depending upon the amount of initial force or energy applied and the length of time compression is applied. Thirteen compression and 14 contusion injuries were studied. Cortical evoked potentials measured in seventeen dogs paralleled the degree of cord injury as well as recovery.