Peripheral nervous system involvement in chronic spinal cord injury.

Introduction: Upper motor neuron disorders are believed to leave the peripheral nervous system (PNS) intact. In this study we examined whether there is evidence of PNS involvement in spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Twelve subjects with chronic low cervical or thoracic SCI were included prospectively.

The artificial somato-autonomic reflex arch does not improve lower urinary tract function in patients with spinal cord lesions.

Purpose: The artificial somato-autonomic reflex arch (Xiao procedure) was proposed as treatment for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. We investigated the effects of the procedure on lower urinary tract function.

Materials And Methods: Seven and 3 patients with a median age of 46 years (range 19 to 64) had AIS A and B spinal cord injury, respectively.

A novel microsurgical method for the treatment of spinal nerve root cysts.

Introduction: The treatment of spinal nerve root cysts is not uniform. In the past decades, microsurgical resection to preserve nervous tissue has been reported. We report on our microsurgical method and present the clinical results in relation to surgical outcome.

[Surgical reinnervation with nerve anastomosis technique for neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction].

Neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction are among the major problems faced by patients with spinal cord injury and myelomeningocele. New treatment modalities enforcing more natural patient control of voiding and defecation are therefore appealing. We present a historical review of crossover surgery as treatment for such deficiencies and, further, describe the principles as well as the documentation for modern surgical intervention in the form of a somato-autonomic reflex arch.

Decreased incidence of myelomeningocele at birth: effect of folic acid recommendations or prenatal diagnostics?

Purpose: In Denmark, prevention to reduce the spina bifida birth rate has focused on two areas: folic acid supplementation (1997) and changes in the national ultrasonography screening programme (2004). Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most severe malformation among the spina bifidas. Taking into consideration the potential negative effect of high-dose folic acid consumption, we found a need to look into the effectiveness of these two strategies in our complete MMC population.

Polymicrobial subdural empyema: involvement of Streptococcus pneumoniae revealed by lytA PCR and antigen detection.

The authors report a case of a subdural empyema (SDE) caused by a coinfection with Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus pneumoniae, initially considered a S. intermedius infection only. An otherwise healthy 11-year-old female was admitted to the hospital after 5 days of illness.

[Prolonged symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury].

Introduction: Patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) do not undergo consistent follow-up in Denmark and the risk factors for long-term symptoms are not fully known. The purpose of this study was to look into symptom frequency, sick-leave frequency and to try to identify risk factors for long-term symptoms following MTBI.

Material And Methods: Patients were recruited from the emergency room at Viborg Hospital.

A retrospective study of infections after primary VP shunt placement in the newborn with myelomeningocele without prophylactic antibiotics.

Purpose: We aim to correlate the frequency of infections after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement in neonates with myelomeningocele (MMC) who did not receive prophylactic antibiotics to the timing of VP shunt placement and the frequency of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage at the MMC wound.

Methods: Fifty-nine newborns with MMC underwent VP shunt insertion in the period 1983-2007. We reviewed retrospectively all records.

Folic acid supplementation in pregnant women.

Introduction: Folic acid (FA) deficiency is associated with neural tube defects (NTD). In a non-risk pregnancy, The Danish National Board of Health recommends FA supplementation from planned pregnancy until three months after conception. We explored pregnant women's knowledge about and actual supplementation with FA and related this to education, number of pregnancies and age.