Studies in experimental spinal cord trauma

Abstract

✓ A chronic clinicopathological study in 43 mongrel dogs evaluates the therapeutic effect of microcirculatory augmentation, an anti-edema agent, catecholamine (CA) receptor blockers, and a CA synthesis inhibitor. Results showed a high degree of clinical protection conferred by phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a lesser degree of protection from haloperidol, a domaminergic blocker, and low molecular weight dextran. Alpha-methyltyrosine given post-injury and steroids were of no therapeutic value. There was a correlation between microscopic white matter protection and clinical result. The presence of central gray necrosis was rather constant irrespective of therapy or clinical result.