International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Demographic characteristics of spinal cord injury due to tumor

3^rd International Conference and Exhibition on Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

May 18-20, 2015 San Antonio, USA

Ilkin Mirzayev, Oya Umit Yemisci, Sevgi Ikbali Afsar, Sacide Nur Saracgil Cosar and Metin Karatas

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Int J Phys Med Rehabil

Abstract :

Objective: To evaluate demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) due to tumor who were admitted to our rehabilitation program as an inpatient. Materials & Methods: The sample consisted of 237 newly-injured patients with SCI whose medical records were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 14 patients (6 males, 8 females) with SCI developing due to tumor were included in the study. Results: Mean age of patients was 58±11.37 years. Overall 50% (n=7) of the tumors were primary and 50% (n=7) were metastatic tumors. Based on neurological levels, 1 (7.1%) patient was tetraplegic, 11 (78.6%) were paraplegic and 2 (14.3%) had conus-cauda equina injury. The American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade at admission was A in 7 (50%) patients, B in 1 (7.1%) patient, C in 2 (14.3%) patients, and D in 4 (28.5%) patients. One patient's AIS grade of C at admission became D at discharge. No change occurred in the AIS grade of the other patients. The mean inpatient duration was 31±17 days. The most common rehabilitation period complication was urinary tract infection (42.9%). At the end of the stay, 5 (35.7%) patients were urinary independent. While 1 (7.1%) patient was ambulated for therapeutic purposes, 6 (42.9%) patients were discharged at the wheelchair level and 7 (50%) patients at the ambulation within the community level at the end of the rehabilitation. A lower extremity orthosis was used by 2 (14.3%) patients and an assistive device for ambulation by 7 (50%) patients. The mean Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) motor score was 38.77±22.93 at admission and 54.33±22.19 at discharge with a mean FIM gain score of 23.75±33.75. Conclusion: Inpatient rehabilitation may increase the functional capacity of patients with SCI developing due to tumor.