New UKSCIRN Project  

SCI17 Improving Outcome after Spinal Cord Injury by Monitoring and Reducing High Cord Pressure

Lead Researcher: Mr Marios Papadopoulos, St Georges University of London mpapadop@sgul.ac.uk

Co-applicants: Mr David Choi, Mr Kia Rezajooi  

Project Start Date: August 2010

Duration: 18 months 

Centres:

St George’sHospital, London SW17

The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore,

KingsCollege Hospital, London

Aim: To test the hypothesis that after SCI bony realignment does not adequately decompress the cord

Background:1000 people a year in the UK survive a spinal cord injury (SCI) paralysed or wheelchair bound.  The annual cost of care for SCI victims is >£500 million [13]. We propose that after SCI cord pressure (CP) at the injury site rises damaging the cord further by ischemia. The value of measuring and reducing CP after SCI is unknown.