[Causes of death in 65 cases of transverse lesions of the spinal cord - determinants of the survival time (author's transl)].

65 cases of transverse lesions of the cord for which autopsies were performed in the Pathological Institute of the University Clinic "Bergmannsheil Bochum" are described. 44 of these 65 cases were occupational accidents. The most frequent locations were the lower thoracic and lumbar parts of the spine (n = 43). The most frequent causes of death in acute transverse lesions of the cord were lung complications; in chronic transverse lesions of the cord, however, complications of the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract were responsible. For acute and chronic transverse lesions of the cord the survival time was dependent on the age at the onset of the accident and on the level and degree of the paralysis (complete or incomplete).