Lesões agudas da medula espinhal são de ocorrência comum em certas raças condrodistróficas como a Dachshund. Nessa raça, um desenvolvimento anormal do disco intervertebral causa uma precoce desidratação e mineralização do núcleo pulposo. Como conseqüência da degeneração discal, esses cães são propensos à extrusão discal aguda que resulta em lesão da medula espinhal contusiva e compressiva. A cirurgia descompressiva é o método de tratamento para cães com disfunção neurológica secundária à compressão da medula espinhal e o prognóstico para recuperação funcional é determinado principalmente pela severidade da lesão na medula espinhal. A perda da sensação de dor profunda em cães com doença do disco intervertebral indica lesão grave da medula espinhal e costuma ser considerada como um mau prognóstico. Existem poucos estudos com um número significativo de casos documentando a recuperação após cirurgia descompressiva em cães com ausência de percepção de dor profunda. A cirurgia raramente é recomendada se a percepção de dor profunda está ausente por mais de 48 horas, mas não foi comprovado um período de tempo mais preciso para tal recomendação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a recuperação funcional dos membros pélvicos de cães da raça Dachshund paraplégicos com ausência de percepção de dor profunda por um período inferior e superior a 48 horas, devido à extrusão discal, submetidos à cirurgia descompressiva. Trinta cães paraplégicos foram distribuídos em dois grupos, sendo o primeiro formado por animais com ausência da sensação de dor profunda nos membros pélvicos por um período inferior a 48 horas e o segundo por um período superior a 48 horas. Em todos os pacientes foram realizados exame mielográfico e cirurgia descompressiva (hemilaminectomia). Posteriormente, esses animais foram submetidos a exame neurológico e avaliados quanto ao grau de locomoção e percepção de dor profunda. Apenas foram considerados recuperados os animais que demonstraram grau 3, 4 ou 5 de locomoção (paresia leve, ataxia ou exame neurológico normal). Os resultados comprovaram que pacientes com ausência de dor profunda devido à extrusão do disco intervertebral devem ser considerados candidatos à cirurgia descompressiva. O argumento de um prognóstico ruim, como afirmado em alguns estudos prévios, não se justifica baseado na duração da ausência de dor profunda antes do procedimento cirúrgico. O retorno da percepção de dor profunda dentro de 4 semanas pode ser associado com prognóstico favorável para retorno da locomoção (grau 3, 4 ou 5). A nova escala estabelecida dos graus de locomoção foi útil na avaliação da recuperação funcional de cães paraplégicos. / Acute lesions of spinal cord are a common occurrence in certain chondrodystrophic breeds such as Dachshund. In this race, an abnormal development of the intervertebral disc causes an early dehydration and mineralization of the pulposus core. As a result of disc degeneration, these dogs are prone to acute disc extrusion, resulting in a compressive and contusive spinal cord injury. Surgical decompression is the treatment method for dogs with neurological dysfunction secondary to spinal cord compression and the prognosis for functional recovery is mainly determined by the severity of spinal cord injury. The loss of deep pain perception in dogs with IVDD indicates severe injury of the spinal cord and is often considered as a bad prognosis. There are few studies with a good number of cases documenting the recovery after decompressive surgery in dogs with no deep pain perception (DPP). Surgery is rarely recommended if DPP is absent for more than 48 hours, but an exact period of time for such a recommendation has not been clearly established. This study aims to evaluate the functional recovery of pelvic limbs of paraplegic Dachshund breed dogs paraplegic with no deep pain perception for a period inferior and superior to 48 hours due to disc extrusion and submitted to surgical decompression. Thirty dogs were divided into two groups; the first consists of paraplegic dogs with no sense of deep pain in the pelvic limbs for less than 48 hours and the second, formed by dogs more than 48 hours. All patients underwent to myelographic examination and surgical decompression (hemilaminectomy). Thereafter, these animals were submitted to neurological examination and evaluated about their degree of movement and deep pain perception. Only were considered as recovered animals that reached locomotion grade 3, 4 or 5. The results showed that patients with absence of deep pain due to intervertebral disc extrusion should be considered candidates for decompressive surgery. The argument of a poor prognosis, as stated in some previous studies, was not justified based on duration of deep pain absence before surgery. The return of deep pain perception within 4 weeks may be associated with favorable prognosis for return of locomotion (grade 3, 4 or 5). The established grade of movement degrees was useful in evaluating the functional recovery of paraplegic dogs.

Lesões agudas da medula espinhal são de ocorrência comum em certas raças condrodistróficas como a Dachshund. Nessa raça, um desenvolvimento anormal do disco intervertebral causa uma precoce desidratação e mineralização do núcleo pulposo. Como conseqüência da degeneração discal, esses cães são propensos à extrusão discal aguda que resulta em lesão da medula espinhal contusiva e compressiva. A cirurgia descompressiva é o método de tratamento para cães com disfunção neurológica secundária à compressão da medula espinhal e o prognóstico para recuperação funcional é determinado principalmente pela severidade da lesão na medula espinhal. A perda da sensação de dor profunda em cães com doença do disco intervertebral indica lesão grave da medula espinhal e costuma ser considerada como um mau prognóstico. Existem poucos estudos com um número significativo de casos documentando a recuperação após cirurgia descompressiva em cães com ausência de percepção de dor profunda. A cirurgia raramente é recomendada se a percepção de dor profunda está ausente por mais de 48 horas, mas não foi comprovado um período de tempo mais preciso para tal recomendação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a recuperação funcional dos membros pélvicos de cães da raça Dachshund paraplégicos com ausência de percepção de dor profunda por um período inferior e superior a 48 horas, devido à extrusão discal, submetidos à cirurgia descompressiva. Trinta cães paraplégicos foram distribuídos em dois grupos, sendo o primeiro formado por animais com ausência da sensação de dor profunda nos membros pélvicos por um período inferior a 48 horas e o segundo por um período superior a 48 horas. Em todos os pacientes foram realizados exame mielográfico e cirurgia descompressiva (hemilaminectomia). Posteriormente, esses animais foram submetidos a exame neurológico e avaliados quanto ao grau de locomoção e percepção de dor profunda. Apenas foram considerados recuperados os animais que demonstraram grau 3, 4 ou 5 de locomoção (paresia leve, ataxia ou exame neurológico normal). Os resultados comprovaram que pacientes com ausência de dor profunda devido à extrusão do disco intervertebral devem ser considerados candidatos à cirurgia descompressiva. O argumento de um prognóstico ruim, como afirmado em alguns estudos prévios, não se justifica baseado na duração da ausência de dor profunda antes do procedimento cirúrgico. O retorno da percepção de dor profunda dentro de 4 semanas pode ser associado com prognóstico favorável para retorno da locomoção (grau 3, 4 ou 5). A nova escala estabelecida dos graus de locomoção foi útil na avaliação da recuperação funcional de cães paraplégicos. / Acute lesions of spinal cord are a common occurrence in certain chondrodystrophic breeds such as Dachshund. In this race, an abnormal development of the intervertebral disc causes an early dehydration and mineralization of the pulposus core. As a result of disc degeneration, these dogs are prone to acute disc extrusion, resulting in a compressive and contusive spinal cord injury. Surgical decompression is the treatment method for dogs with neurological dysfunction secondary to spinal cord compression and the prognosis for functional recovery is mainly determined by the severity of spinal cord injury. The loss of deep pain perception in dogs with IVDD indicates severe injury of the spinal cord and is often considered as a bad prognosis. There are few studies with a good number of cases documenting the recovery after decompressive surgery in dogs with no deep pain perception (DPP). Surgery is rarely recommended if DPP is absent for more than 48 hours, but an exact period of time for such a recommendation has not been clearly established. This study aims to evaluate the functional recovery of pelvic limbs of paraplegic Dachshund breed dogs paraplegic with no deep pain perception for a period inferior and superior to 48 hours due to disc extrusion and submitted to surgical decompression. Thirty dogs were divided into two groups; the first consists of paraplegic dogs with no sense of deep pain in the pelvic limbs for less than 48 hours and the second, formed by dogs more than 48 hours. All patients underwent to myelographic examination and surgical decompression (hemilaminectomy). Thereafter, these animals were submitted to neurological examination and evaluated about their degree of movement and deep pain perception. Only were considered as recovered animals that reached locomotion grade 3, 4 or 5. The results showed that patients with absence of deep pain due to intervertebral disc extrusion should be considered candidates for decompressive surgery. The argument of a poor prognosis, as stated in some previous studies, was not justified based on duration of deep pain absence before surgery. The return of deep pain perception within 4 weeks may be associated with favorable prognosis for return of locomotion (grade 3, 4 or 5). The established grade of movement degrees was useful in evaluating the functional recovery of paraplegic dogs.

abstract: The unique anatomical and functional properties of vasculature determine the susceptibility of the spinal cord to ischemia. The spinal cord vascular architecture is designed to withstand major ischemic events by compensating blood supply via important anastomotic channels. One of the important compensatory channels of the arterial basket of the conus medullaris (ABCM). ABCM consists of one or two arteries arising from the anterior spinal artery (ASA) and circumferentially connecting the ASA and the posterior spinal arteries. In addition to compensatory function, the arterial basket can be involved in arteriovenous fistulae and malformations of the conus. The morphometric anatomical analysis of the ABCM was performed with emphasis on vessel diameters and branching patterns. A significant ischemic event that overcomes vascular compensatory capacity causes spinal cord injury (SCI). For example, SCI complicating thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair is associated with ischemic injury. The rate of this devastating complication has been decreased significantly by instituting physiological methods of protection. Traumatic spinal cord injury causes complex changes in spinal cord blood flow (SCBF), which are closely related to a severity of injury. Manipulating physiological parameters such as mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intrathecal pressure (ITP) may be beneficial for patients with a spinal cord injury. It was discovered in a pig model of SCI that the combination of MAP elevation and cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) significantly and sustainably improved SCBF and spinal cord perfusion pressure. In animal models of SCI, regeneration is usually evaluated histologically, requiring animal sacrifice. Thus, there is a need for a technique to detect changes in SCI noninvasively over time. The study was performed comparing manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) in hemisection and transection SCI rat models with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and histology. MEMERI ratio differed among transection and hemisection groups, correlating to a severity of SCI measured by fraction anisotropy and myelin load. MEMRI is a useful noninvasive tool to assess a degree of neuronal damage after SCI. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Neuroscience 2016

Lesões agudas da medula espinhal são de ocorrência comum em certas raças condrodistróficas como a Dachshund. Nessa raça, um desenvolvimento anormal do disco intervertebral causa uma precoce desidratação e mineralização do núcleo pulposo. Como conseqüência da degeneração discal, esses cães são propensos à extrusão discal aguda que resulta em lesão da medula espinhal contusiva e compressiva. A cirurgia descompressiva é o método de tratamento para cães com disfunção neurológica secundária à compressão da medula espinhal e o prognóstico para recuperação funcional é determinado principalmente pela severidade da lesão na medula espinhal. A perda da sensação de dor profunda em cães com doença do disco intervertebral indica lesão grave da medula espinhal e costuma ser considerada como um mau prognóstico. Existem poucos estudos com um número significativo de casos documentando a recuperação após cirurgia descompressiva em cães com ausência de percepção de dor profunda. A cirurgia raramente é recomendada se a percepção de dor profunda está ausente por mais de 48 horas, mas não foi comprovado um período de tempo mais preciso para tal recomendação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a recuperação funcional dos membros pélvicos de cães da raça Dachshund paraplégicos com ausência de percepção de dor profunda por um período inferior e superior a 48 horas, devido à extrusão discal, submetidos à cirurgia descompressiva. Trinta cães paraplégicos foram distribuídos em dois grupos, sendo o primeiro formado por animais com ausência da sensação de dor profunda nos membros pélvicos por um período inferior a 48 horas e o segundo por um período superior a 48 horas. Em todos os pacientes foram realizados exame mielográfico e cirurgia descompressiva (hemilaminectomia). Posteriormente, esses animais foram submetidos a exame neurológico e avaliados quanto ao grau de locomoção e percepção de dor profunda. Apenas foram considerados recuperados os animais que demonstraram grau 3, 4 ou 5 de locomoção (paresia leve, ataxia ou exame neurológico normal). Os resultados comprovaram que pacientes com ausência de dor profunda devido à extrusão do disco intervertebral devem ser considerados candidatos à cirurgia descompressiva. O argumento de um prognóstico ruim, como afirmado em alguns estudos prévios, não se justifica baseado na duração da ausência de dor profunda antes do procedimento cirúrgico. O retorno da percepção de dor profunda dentro de 4 semanas pode ser associado com prognóstico favorável para retorno da locomoção (grau 3, 4 ou 5). A nova escala estabelecida dos graus de locomoção foi útil na avaliação da recuperação funcional de cães paraplégicos. / Acute lesions of spinal cord are a common occurrence in certain chondrodystrophic breeds such as Dachshund. In this race, an abnormal development of the intervertebral disc causes an early dehydration and mineralization of the pulposus core. As a result of disc degeneration, these dogs are prone to acute disc extrusion, resulting in a compressive and contusive spinal cord injury. Surgical decompression is the treatment method for dogs with neurological dysfunction secondary to spinal cord compression and the prognosis for functional recovery is mainly determined by the severity of spinal cord injury. The loss of deep pain perception in dogs with IVDD indicates severe injury of the spinal cord and is often considered as a bad prognosis. There are few studies with a good number of cases documenting the recovery after decompressive surgery in dogs with no deep pain perception (DPP). Surgery is rarely recommended if DPP is absent for more than 48 hours, but an exact period of time for such a recommendation has not been clearly established. This study aims to evaluate the functional recovery of pelvic limbs of paraplegic Dachshund breed dogs paraplegic with no deep pain perception for a period inferior and superior to 48 hours due to disc extrusion and submitted to surgical decompression. Thirty dogs were divided into two groups; the first consists of paraplegic dogs with no sense of deep pain in the pelvic limbs for less than 48 hours and the second, formed by dogs more than 48 hours. All patients underwent to myelographic examination and surgical decompression (hemilaminectomy). Thereafter, these animals were submitted to neurological examination and evaluated about their degree of movement and deep pain perception. Only were considered as recovered animals that reached locomotion grade 3, 4 or 5. The results showed that patients with absence of deep pain due to intervertebral disc extrusion should be considered candidates for decompressive surgery. The argument of a poor prognosis, as stated in some previous studies, was not justified based on duration of deep pain absence before surgery. The return of deep pain perception within 4 weeks may be associated with favorable prognosis for return of locomotion (grade 3, 4 or 5). The established grade of movement degrees was useful in evaluating the functional recovery of paraplegic dogs.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-11T16:21:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruno Martins Araujo.pdf: 2084941 bytes, checksum: 63b9d4471e02acbbd35a879b95c57ae3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-11T16:21:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruno Martins Araujo.pdf: 2084941 bytes, checksum: 63b9d4471e02acbbd35a879b95c57ae3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-02 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Vertebral fractures and luxations (VFL) are one of the most common and severe neurological issues found in clinical practice, with an elevated risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord. Our objective was to study the characteristics and implications associated with thoracolumbar VFL in 37 dogs examined at the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Each patient had detailed history obtained, followed by clinical, neurologic and radiographic exams. The dogs were submitted to conservative or surgical treatment according to each case. The VFL were more common in intact males with access to the street. Regarding etiology, 32 dogs were involved in car accidents. Of the dogs included in this research, 14 had non-neurological issues in other systems. Radiographic exams were 100% effective in diagnosing VFL, but 42.8% of the dogs treated surgically had vertebral lesions that weren't detected radiographically. Mean time until initial neurologic exam was 35 days, and most dogs were reffered without external coaptation. There was a significant difference in recovery of the dogs when comparing a degree of dislocation of 0 – 25% and 76 – 100%. Presence of two or three severe neurological signs was associated with a poor prognosis, while lack or just one of these indicated a favorable prognosis. Deep pain perception (DPP) was present in 37.7% of the dogs. Twenty dogs received conservative treatment, 14 underwent surgery and three dogs died before treatment for the acute spinal trauma. Of the dogs with intact DPP, 100% recovered, while none of the dogs that lost DPP recovered voluntary motion (five developed spinal walk). Presence or absence of DPP is a reliable prognostic indicator. However, there was no significant difference in time for recovery of voluntary motion in dogs with intact DPP when comparing surgical versus conservative treatment. The percentage of euthanasia was less than in other reports, probably due to the greater awareness and protectiveness of owners nowadays. Of the dogs without DPP treated either surgically or conservatively, 31.25% recovered the ambulation without recovery of DPP. / Fraturas e luxações vertebrais (FLV) são uma das afecções neurológicas mais graves e comumente encontradas na prática clínica, com elevado risco de danos permanentes à medula espinal. Objetivou-se estudar as características e implicações associadas às FLV toracolombares em 37 cães atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Cada paciente passou por anamnese, seguida por exames clínicos, neurológico e radiográfico. Os cães foram submetidos ao tratamento conservativo ou cirúrgico de acordo com cada caso. As FLV foram mais comuns em machos não castrados com acesso a rua. Dentre a etiologia, 32 cães foram acometidos por acidente automobilístico. Dos animais da pesquisa, 14 apresentaram lesões não neurológicas em outros sistemas. Por meio do exame radiológico se diagnosticou FLV em 100% dos casos, mas nos cães submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico, observou-se uma grande quantidade destes apresentavam lesões vertebrais não detectadas nas radiografias convencionais (42,8%). O tempo médio ate o atendimento neurológico inicial foi de 35 dias, no qual a maioria foi encaminhada sem imobilização externa. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante ao se comparar os graus de deslocamento de 0 a 25% e de 76 a 100%. A presença de dois ou três sinais neurológicos graves esteve relacionada a prognóstico desfavorável, enquanto que a ausência ou presença de apenas um destes indicou um prognóstico favorável. A percepção de dor profunda (PDP) estava presente em 37,7% dos animais. Vinte animais foram submetidos ao tratamento conservativo, 14 ao tratamento cirúrgico e três animais faleceram antes de ser realizado o tratamento do traumatismo medular agudo propriamente dito. Dos animais que mantiveram a PDP intacta, a taxa de recuperação foi de 100%, enquanto que dos animais que perderam a PDP nenhum recuperou a deambulação voluntária (cinco adquiriram caminhar espinal). O parâmetro de ausência ou presença de PDP é um confiante indicativo do prognóstico desta afecção. Apesar de que nos animais que mantiverem a PDP intacta, independente do tratamento instituído e do grau de comprometimento neurológico, não houve diferença significante nas taxas nem no tempo de recuperação da deambulação voluntária. A taxa de eutanásia foi menor que em outros trabalhos descritos na literatura, provavelmente devido a conscientização e protecionismo dos tutores nos dias atuais. Dos animais sem PDP submetidos ao tratamento conservativo ou cirúrgico, 31,25% readquiriram a capacidade de caminhar sem recuperar a PDP.

Background: Permanent paraplegia is a rare but feared complication of both open and endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic repair. The rate of postoperative paraplegia varies depending on the extent of open repair, from 0.9% to 4.7%, even in expert centers (Coselli et al. 2016; Etz et al. 2015). Among the currently available protective adjuncts, distal perfusion (DP) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage are one of the most widely used ones (Etz et al. 2015). The scientific evidence of DP is based on observational clinical studies with heterogenous patients and perioperative strategies, and few experimental works with various combinations of preventive techniques analyzed simultaneously (Rose et al. 1997; Winnerkvist et al. 2002). Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the isolated effect of DP on regional spinal cord perfusion during aortic cross-clamping, and additional deliberate CSF pressure elevation in a large animal model. Additionally, we aimed to assess DP impact on paraspinous muscle perfusion, and evaluate the efficacy of collateral network near-infrared spectroscopy (cnNIRS) as a monitoring technique during DP. Methods: The study was performed in an acute large animal model (8 juvenile female German landrace pigs) via upper left lateral thoracotomy in the 3rd intercostal space, and retroperitoneal access. Distal perfusion was performed using partial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with target perfusion pressure of 60 mmHg. Arterial lines of CPB were placed into the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta, and the venous line – into the pulmonary artery. Lumbar puncture at the L3-L4 level was performed in order to perform plasma injection during CSF pressure elevation stage. Spinal cord and paraspinous muscle regional perfusion was evaluated using microspheres injections (a total of 6 colors) at four experimental time-points: on running CPB (baseline), 5 minutes after proximal aortic cross-clamping, 5 minutes after abdominal aortic cross-clamping and initiation of DP, and after 15 minutes of manually increased (tripled) CSF pressure. During the DP, proximal and distal blood flows were evaluated separately with two microsphere colors injected simultaneously via CPB arterial lines. For the analysis, the spinal cord was divided into three segments: upper (C1-T7), mid- (T8-L2) and lower (L3-S). Paraspinous muscle perfusion and oxygenation were assessed at 4 levels: mid- and lower thoracic, upper and lower lumbar levels. At the end of each experiment, the whole spinal cord and 2 cm3 samples of paraspinous muscles corresponding to the cnNIRS levels, were harvested. Results: Spinal Cord Perfusion: In the upper spinal cord, statistically significant changes of regional perfusion were observed both after DTA cross-clamping (decrease to 62% from baseline), and after distal aortic cross-clamping with initiation of DP (increase to 156% in proximal and decrease to 5% from baseline in distal flow). These were followed by a significant drop of proximal spinal cord perfusion (from 152% back to 102%, p = 0.038), and some increase of distal perfusion values (from 5% to 19%, however not reaching statistical significance) during the CSF pressure elevation stage. In the mid-spinal cord, a notable decrease of perfusion was observed after proximal aortic cross-clamping (to 27%, p = 0.025). The initiation of DP was not associated with any notable changes in proximal and distal perfusion values. Afterwards, a decrease of proximal and distal perfusion values (from 33% to 13% in proximal, and from 24% to 10% in distal perfusion) was observed during CSF pressure elevation stage. These changes were, however, not statistically significant. Lower spinal cord measurements showed, similarly to mid-segment, a decrease in perfusion after DTA cross-clamping (to 14% from baseline, p = 0.001). Initiation of DP led to normalization of proximal perfusion of the lower spinal cord (to 96% from baseline). At the same time, it was associated with extreme hyperperfusion due to distal perfusion (up to 480% from baseline). The tripling of CSF pressure resulted in decrease of both proximal (from 96% to 59%, p = 0.131) and distal (from 480% to 468%, p = 0.999) perfusion rates. Paraspinous muscle perfusion: The analysis of paraspinous muscle (i.e. collateral network) perfusion values revealed few statistically significant changes. Proximal aortic cross-clamping resulted in a decrease of paraspinous muscle perfusion (not reaching statistical significance). The least perfused were lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments. Neither initiation of DP, nor CSF pressure elevation were associated with any statistically significant changes in paraspinous muscles perfusion at any of the analyzed levels, except the lower lumbar one. Here, the distal perfusion increased from 7% to 27% from baseline during DP, and from 27% to 60% during the CSF elevation stage (p = 0.034). cnNIRS: Continuous cnNIRS monitoring did not reveal any notable changes at the mid-thoracic level. At the other three levels, the values decreased after DTA cross-clamping (p < 0.001 according to ANOVA). At the lower thoracic level, the tissue oxygenation values crossed the 70% from baseline ischemic threshold after initiation of DP. CSF pressure elevation did not have any influence on cnNIRS values at any level. Discussion: Comparison of the present experiment with the previously published studies is limited due to discrepancy in experimental sequences, analyzed segments and possible effects of other protective adjuncts used in the studies. However, in the initial phase of the experiment, the decrease of blood flow in all the spinal cord segments, was similar to the previously published works (Brattli et al. 2007; von Aspern et al. 2020). These changes were used as a second, “ischemic” baseline during the present study. Initiation of the DP led to limited or no perfusion increase of spinal cord perfusion in upper (C1-T7) and mid-spinal cord (T8-L2). And, if in the upper spinal cord this could be compensated by increased proximal flow, the mid-spinal cord was the least protected segment. At the same time, it was associated with extreme hyperperfusion (due to distal flow) of the spinal cord in the lumbar segment (L3-S), which is a known risk factor of spinal cord injury itself (Bower et al. 1989; Gallagher et al. 2019). The CSF pressure elevation resulted in further spinal cord tissue perfusion decrease, as previously reported by Haunschild et al. in experiments without aortic cross-clamping and DP (Haunschild et al. 2020). Although these changes were statistically significant only at the upper spinal cord level, they resulted in a pronounced reduction of proximal perfusion also in the other two spinal cord segments. Similarly, the decrease was observed also in distal perfusion in the mid- and lower spinal cord. Summarizing these findings, one would suggest that not only did DP (with 60 mmHg pressure) not lead to adequate protection of the mid-spinal cord during aortic cross-clamping, but it also was not able to protect it in the presence of increased CSF pressure. One also needs to point out, that although elevated CSF pressure led to some decrease of distal flow in lumbar segment, it did not eliminate the hyperperfusion of the spinal cord. In paraspinous muscle perfusion, as previously reported by von Aspern and colleagues, the perfusion reduction was more prominent in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments, which corresponds with the spinal cord regional perfusion results. During the next stages, almost no changes were observed in paraspinous muscles perfusion. The exclusion was the lower lumbar level, where some increase of distal perfusion was observed, however not reflecting the hyperperfusion of the spinal cord at this level. As a reflection of collateral perfusion, collateral network oxygenation monitoring using cnNIRS demonstrated limited changes. The most pronounced decrease of oxygenation was observed after aortic cross-clamping, thus following the pattern reported by von Aspern (von Aspern et al. 2020). However, at lower thoracic level, the values did cross the 70% ischemic threshold after initiation of DP, signaling ischemia. Similarly to paraspinous muscle perfusion, cnNIRS was not able to reflect the hyperperfusion of the distal spinal cord. Conclusions: The present study points out, that DP during open thoracoabdominal aortic repair should be managed with caution. It was shown that DP with stable unadjusted perfusion pressure of 60 mmHg does not provide adequate protection at the mid-thoracic level of the spinal cord and could not counteract CSF pressure elevation. At the same time, it may be associated with hyperperfusion of its distal segment. Distal perfusion, both with normal and elevated CSF pressure, did not lead to any significant changes in paraspinous muscles perfusion, except the lower lumbar segment. However, the lowest perfusion values were observed around the mid-spinal cord (the most vulnerable) area. Moreover, despite the fact that cnNIRS was able to reflect severe spinal cord ischemia, it did not reveal the spinal cord hyperperfusion. Further studies, including chronic animal experiments, are required for precise evaluation of DP in various pressure modes, and its ability to counteract the elevated CSF pressure.:Table of contents III List of abbreviations V 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Anatomy of the aorta 1 1.2 Descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic pathology 2 1.3 Open surgical and endovascular treatment of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic pathology 4 1.4 Postoperative spinal cord injury 7 1.5 Spinal cord anatomy 9 1.6 Spinal cord blood supply: collateral network concept 10 1.7 Perioperative and adjunctive strategies to prevent spinal cord injury 12 1.8 Swine as an experimental model for spinal cord injury research 15 2 Aim of the study 16 3 Materials 17 3.1 Experimental materials 17 3.1.1 Devices 17 3.1.2 Expendable materials and instruments 18 3.1.3 Medications and chemicals 20 3.2 Laboratory materials 22 3.2.1 Devices 22 3.2.2 Expendable materials and instruments 23 3.2.3 Chemicals 25 3.3 Software 26 4 Methods 27 4.1 Experimental model 27 4.1.1 Experimental animals 27 4.1.2 Anaesthesia 28 4.1.3 Surgical approach and experimental sequence 29 4.1.4 Tissue harvesting and preparation 33 4.2 Analysis during the experiment 33 4.2.1 Microsphere measurements 33 4.2.2 Collateral network near-infrared spectroscopy 38 4.2.3 Histopathological assessment 39 4.2.4 Statistical analysis 42 5 Results 43 5.1 Vital parameters during the experiment 43 5.2 Spinal cord regional perfusion 45 5.3 Collateral network regional perfusion 50 5.4 Collateral network oxygenation 54 5.5 Relationships between regional perfusion and oxygenation values 56 5.6 Histopathological assessment 60 6 Discussion 62 6.1 Discussion of vital parameters during the experiment 64 6.2 Discussion of spinal cord regional perfusion 66 6.3 Discussion of collateral network regional perfusion 71 6.4 Discussion of collateral network oxygenation 73 6.5 Discussion of the relationships between regional perfusion and 75 oxygenation values 6.6 Discussion of histopathological results 76 6.7 Conclusions 77 6.8 Limitations of the study 78 7 Summary 81 8 References 86 9 Figure legends 103 10 Table legends 105 Acknowledgements 106 Declaration about the independent work for dissertation 107 Curriculum vitae 108

Background: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been found to be effective in restoring voluntary functions after spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke. However, the central nervous system (CNS) changes that occur in as a result of this therapy are largely unknown. Objective: To examine the effects of FES on the restoration of voluntary locomotor function of the CNS in a SCI rat model. Methods: SCI rats were instrumented with chronic FES electrodes in the hindlimb muscles and were divided into two groups: (a) FES therapy and (b) sedentary. At day 7 post-SCI, the animals were assessed for locomotion performance by using a Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. They were then anesthetized for a terminal in vivo experiment. The lumbar spinal cord and somatosensory cortex were exposed and the instrumented muscles were stimulated electrically. Associated neurovascular responses in the CNS were recorded with an intrinsic optical imaging system. Results: FES greatly improved locomotion recovery by day 7 post-SCI, as measured by BBB scores (P < 0.05): (a) FES 10 ± 2 and (b) controls 3 ± 1. Furthermore, the FES group showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) of neurovascular activation in the spinal cord and somatosensory cortex when the muscles were stimulated between 1 and 3 motor threshold (MT). Conclusion: Hind limb rehabilitation with FES is an effective strategy to improve locomotion during the acute phase post-SCI. The results of this study indicate that after FES, the CNS preserves/acquires the capacity to respond to peripheral electrical stimulation.

Bakgrund: Att drabbas av en ryggmärgsskada till följd av trauma innebär ofta en stor livsomställning. Det är vanligt med både fysiska och psykiska sekundära hälsoeffekter hos personer med ryggmärgsskada och dessa patienter är ofta mer sårbara för flera olika ohälsotillstånd. Personer med funktionsnedsättning möter ofta omfattande barriärer i samhället, trots deras rättighet att bli inkluderade och kunna delta i samhället i samma utsträckning som den generella befolkningen. Syfte: Att belysa patienters upplevelser av att leva med tetra- eller paraplegi till följd av trauma. Metod: Litteraturstudien bygger på 11 vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ ansats. Datainsamlingen skedde i databaserna PubMed och Cinahl med hjälp av PEO-modellen för att finna sökblock. Artiklarna kvalitetsgranskades med hjälp av SBUs granskningsmall och analyserades med tematisk analys för att identifiera subkategorier och kategorier. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i att deltagarnas upplevelser kunde kategoriseras i åtta subkategorier som mynnade ut i två övergripande kategorier. Kategorin En förändrad vardag innehöll subkategorierna; olika känslor som väcktes, begränsade fysiska förutsättningar, påverkad självständighet och varierande bemötande i samhället. Kategorien Hantering av tillvaron innehöll subkategorierna; behov av socialt och professionellt stöd, nya perspektiv på tillvaron, vikten av meningsfulla aktiviteter och strävan efter delaktighet i samhället. Konklusion: Sjuksköterskan har en viktig roll i bemötandet och behandlingen av personer med tetra- och paraplegi. Det är viktigt att arbeta personcentrerat och holistiskt för att tillgodose såväl fysiska som psykosociala behov. / Background: Suffering a spinal cord injury as a result of trauma often entails a significant life adjustment. Both physical and psychological secondary health effects are common among individuals with spinal cord injury, and these patients are often more vulnerable to various health conditions. People with disabilities often encounter extensive barriers in society, despite their right to inclusion and participation in society to the same extent as the general population. Objective: To illuminate patients' experiences of living with tetraplegia or paraplegia resulting from trauma. Method: The literature review is based on 11 scientific articles with a qualitative approach. Data collection was conducted in the PubMed and CINAHL databases using the PEO model to guide the search blocks. The articles were quality-assessed using the SBU review guide and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify subcategories and categories. Results: The analysis resulted in categorizing participants' experiences into eight subcategories, which converged into two overarching categories. The subcategories of different emotions evoked, limited physical capabilities, impacted independence, and varying societal encounters resulted in the category "Altered everyday life." The subcategories of the need for social and professional support, new perspectives on existence, the importance of meaningful activities, and the pursuit of societal participation resulted in the category "Managing life." Conclusion: The nurse plays a crucial role in the care and treatment of individuals with tetra- and paraplegia. It is important to work in a person-centered and holistic manner to address both physical and psychosocial needs.

In order to experience unconditional love, prejudices must be exposed and overcome. People often meet others with a disability or handicap and unknowingly treat these individuals negatively. As a middle school teacher, I have often witnessed students behaving cruelly towards those that are different. When my dog became a paraplegic I was inspired to develop a project to assist young readers in the development of conscientious actions towards individuals with disabilities. This document chronicles the development, procedures, and outcomes of the process behind that artistic endeavor. The artistic elements of this thesis project are a written children's storybook and an educational interactive Web site to further teach inclusiveness to young readers. The images are real photos that have been manipulated to look like illustrations that enhance elements that are visually appealing to children in order to increase the images' communication value. The site has been designed to integrate the look and feel of the book, complementing and referencing it

No description available.