Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A T Scher

Publications and source records attributed to A T Scher.

69 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Injuries to the cervical spine sustained while carrying loads on the head.

The level and type of injury in 12 patients with cervical spinal cord injury as a result of accidents while carrying heavy loads on the head is analysed. Lateral radiographs of the cervical spine in subjects loaded with 200 lb bags on the head, to assess the effects on the normal configuration of the spine, were obtained. Radiological assessment of a further group of labourers with long periods of this type of employment was done in an attempt to demonstrate any increased predisposition to osteo-arthrotic change in the cervical spine.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1977

A plea for routine radiographic examination of the cervical spine after head injury.

Patients with unrecognized fractures of the cervical spine associated with head injuries run the risk of developing spinal cord compression and paralysis while undergoing treatment. A case history demonstrating such a sequence of events is presented. The frequent association of fractures of the cervical spine and trauma to the head is discussed. Routine radiographic examination of the cervical spine in all patients who have sustained significant injuries to the head or face is advocated. The technique for performing simple lateral radiography of the cervical spine without moving the patient is described.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Rugby injuries to the cervical spinal cord.

An analysis of the orthopaedic injuries in 20 patients who sustained injury to the cervical spinal cord while playing rugby has been made. Eight (40%) of the players were injured during scrums and the remainder were injured during tackling. The incidence of and mortality due to spinal cord injuries sustained during rugby are discussed. Analysis of the scrum injuries shows a specific type of orthopaedic injury indicating a flexion-rotation mechanism. No specific mechanism of injury in the group injured during tackling could by demonstrated. It is concluded that the rugby scrum provides an ideal occasion for dislocation of the cervical spine and is potentially the most hazardous facet of the game.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Is positive-contrast myelography of value in acute cervical spinal cord injury?

Positive-contrast myelography in 30 patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury has not provided any information of clinical value. Reference to the literature does not provide a definite set of indications for myelography in acute spinal cord injury. An attempt has therefore been made to evaluate the indications for this procedure. The potential hazards of myelography in patients with acute spinal cord injury are discussed. Specific contra-indications are described. Difficulties in the radiological interpretation of the usual myelographic appearances in spinal cord injury are mentioned. The advantages of negative-contrast myelography are briefly described. It is concluded that there is a very limited indication for positive-contrast myelography in acute spinal cord injury.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Problems in the radiological interpretation of the X-ray appearance of the bladder wall and bladder neck obtained on micturating cysto-urethrography in patients with neurogenic bladders [proceedings].

The technique in performing micturating cysto-urethrography is described. Technical difficulties in obtaining micturating films and positioning of paraplegic patients are discussed. A previous author has stated that radiological assessment of the bladder neck is of no value. Analysis of intravenous pyelograms (IVP) and micturating cysto-urethrogram (MCUG) on 71 paraplegic patients confirms that there is no correlation between the diameter of the bladder neck and the presence of pathological renal changes or vesico-ureteric reflux. Difficulties in the radiological assessment of bladder capacity and contour due to marked differences in appearance on MCUG and IVP are discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Unilateral locked facet in cervical spine injuries.

Among 525 patients who sustained trauma to the cervical spinal cord, 86 (16%) had unilateral locking of facets. If the diagnosis is not promptly made, neurological recovery of root deficit will be impaired and orthopedic deformity will result. Since there is often only minimal forward displacement at the site of dislocation, it is possible not only to miss the locking of facets but even to erroneously conclude that no fracture or dislocation is present. Rotation of the cervical spine above the level of dislocation results in a diagnostic appearance on the lateral view. Rotation of the spinous processes was seen in the anteroposterior view in only one-third of the cases. The necessity of obtaining x-rays which adequately demonstrate the lower cervical spine is emphasized and the technique briefly described.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1976

Trauma of the spinal cord in children.

The clinical and radiological features in 16 children with trauma of the spinal cord are presented. The extremely low incidence of traumatic paraplegia in children relative to the incidence in adults is noted. In 70% of the paraplegic children no abnormality of the vertebral column was detected by X-ray examination. The value of tomography and myelography in localisation of the site of injury in this group is considered. The pathogenesis of trauma to the spinal cord in children is briefly discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1976

Syringomyelia secondary to paraplegia due to fractures of the thoracic spine.

The clinical, radiological and operative findings in 3 patients with paraplegia consequent upon fractures of the thoracic spine are presented. Myelography revealed widening of the cervical spinal cord in all 3 patients and this finding was confirmed at operation. The incidence of this condition in the Spinal Injuries Unit is shown to be similar to that noted in other large units. The principal theories as to the aetiology of this condition, i.e. cavitation secondary to haematomyelia or myelomalacia caused by circulatory disorders, are reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Cervical spinal cord injury without evidence of fracture or dislocation. An assessment of the radiological features.

An analysis of plain X-ray films, tomography and myelography in 30 patients with proven cervical spinal cord injury, whose X-ray films were negative, has been performed. Features considered were the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal, associated cervical spondylosis, soft tissue changes, mobility studies and the value in cases of cervical injury of two recently described radiological signs. The only consistent feature in the majority of patients was a large posterior osteophytic spur in the lower cervical spine. No other radiological feature was found to be of particular value in diagnosis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

Reflection on the 1976 Toronto Olympiad for the physically disabled.

A report is given on the various aspects of the 1976 Olympiad of the Physically Disabled. The aspects discussed are the historical background, planning and preparation of the Games, accommodation for amputees, blind and paraplegics, transport, games site, organisation of sports events, medical supervision, publicity of the Games, standards of performance and records and last, but by no means least, politics and sport.

Canada↗
PubMed1975

Changes in the upper urinary tract as demonstrated on intravenous pyelography and micturating cysto-urethrography in patients with spinal cord injury.

1. Thirty-two per cent of cases examined by I.V.P. showed evidence of disease (20 per cent hydronephrosis, 12 per cent chronic pyelonephritis). 2. The incidence of V.U. reflux on micturating cysto-urethrography was 13 per cent. V.U. reflux is associated with chronic pyelonephritis in a high proportion of cases as would be expected. A normal pyelogram does not exclude V.U. reflux as mentioned by Cobb (1966). 3. Patients with complete paralysis show a significantly high incidence of chronic pyelonephritis, hydronephritis and V.U. reflux. 4. In case of unilateral hydronephrosis and chronic pyelonephritis there is a striking predilection for involvement of the right kidney. The cause for this is not evident but possibly the fact that the right ureter is shorter than the left is a factor.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spinal cord concussion in rugby players.

During an analysis of a group of 40 rugby players who had sustained cervical spinal cord injury, 9 players were identified who had sustained only transient paralysis. These players showed no radiologic evidence of any injury to the cervical spine. We did a retrospective analysis of the clinical and radiological findings in this group of rugby players. The cervical spine radiographs were analyzed for evidence of spinal stenosis, congenital anomalies, and degenerative disk disease. Using the ratio method of assessment for spinal stenosis, we found spinal canal narrowing maximally at C-3 and C-4 in five of the nine players. In the remaining four players, one showed evidence of osteoarthritic change at two levels while another had congenital fusion of two vertebral bodies. In two players, no radiologic evidence of any abnormality was detected. The mechanism of transient disturbance of the spinal cord function after trauma is discussed here.

Adolescent↗