Allen revisited: Decompression is crucial for repairing the contusion-injured rat spinal cord by radiation therapy Meeting Abstract

  


Authors: Kalderon, N.; Muruganandham, M.; Koutcher, J.
Abstract Title: Allen revisited: Decompression is crucial for repairing the contusion-injured rat spinal cord by radiation therapy
Meeting Title: 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience
Abstract: The pathologic hallmark of spinal cord (SC) injury is a progressive tissue decay at the damage site.)Radiation therapy of the lesion site in transected rat SC within a critical time window, 2-3 wks postinjury (PI), can prevent the onset of decay thereby facilitating structural and functional repair (PNAS(1996)93:111791; BR(2001)904:199). The objective is to develop this strategy of cell-elimination as a therapy for contusion injury that is more similar to the human injury.)In our preliminary study radiation therapy failed to facilitate repair in contusion injury. Our longitudinal studies suggest that apart from swelling and related compression the events after contusion (ibid) are similar to those in transection injury1, i.e., decay begins at the 3rd wk PI.)Allen (JAMA(1911)57:878) showed that decompression (DCP) of the contused SC by medial longitudinal incision is beneficial in reducing the horrendous sequelae of fluid buildup. Here, we tested whether DCP by midline stabs would affect the outcome of radiation therapy in the contused SC. A moderate contusion in rats' (n=15) SC was performed with an NYU weight-drop device; these were divided into 3 groups: control, DCP (3-4 needle stabs at the lesion site), and DCP + irradiated (20Gy/10 fractions) starting on day 8 PI.)Analysis of the lesion site by in vivo MRI 45-50 days PI shows that tissue decay was prevented/reduced in the DCP + irradiated group.)These data indicate that decompression after contusion injury is crucial for attaining repair by radiation therapy. These also suggest that optimizing DCP procedures would improve repair by radiation therapy.
Journal Title: Society for Neuroscience Abstract Viewer and Itinerary Planner
Volume: 22
Meeting Dates: 2002 Nov 3-7
Meeting Location: Orlando, FL
ISSN: 1558-3635
Publisher: Society for Neuroscience  
Date Published: 2002-01-01
Language: English
ACCESSION: BCI:BCI200300269663
PROVIDER: biosis
Notes: Meeting Abstract: 133.11/B-100 -- 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience -- Orlando, Florida, USA -- Society for Neuroscience -- Source: Biosis