STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PURPOSE: To clarify the influence of cervical spinal canal stenosis (CSCS) on neurological functional recovery after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without major fracture or dislocation. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The biomechanical etiology of traumatic CSCI remains under discussion and its relationship with CSCS is one of the most controversial issues in the clinical management of traumatic CSCI. METHODS: To obtain a relatively uniform background, patients non-surgically treated for an acute C3-4 level CSCI without major fracture or dislocation were selected. We analyzed 58 subjects with traumatic CSCI using T2-weighted mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging. The sagittal diameter of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) column, degree of canal stenosis, and neurologic outcomes in motor function, including improvement rate, were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant relationships between sagittal diameter of the CSF column at the C3-4 segment and their American Spinal Injury Association motor scores at both admission and discharge. Moreover, no significant relationships were observed between the sagittal diameter of the CSF column at the C3-4 segment and their neurological recovery during the following period. CONCLUSIONS: No relationships between pre-existing CSCS and neurological outcomes were evident after traumatic CSCI. These results suggest that decompression surgery might not be recommended for traumatic CSCI without major fracture or dislocation despite pre-existing CSCS.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Cervical Cord* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Decompression ; Dislocations* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal* ; Spinal Injuries

We aimed to clarify the significance of using Kampo therapy centered on kamishoyosan and tokishakuyakusan together with general infertility treatment. The subjects were 41 women who visited a Kampo outpatient clinic for infertility and received general infertility treatment with Kampo therapy (Kampo group). The control group was 781 women who received only general infertility treatment at the same time (non-Kampo group). In comparing both groups, we conducted a retrospective survey on the pregnancy rate by cycle and the pregnancy rate by prescription. The pregnancy rate in the first cycle was 24.4% in the Kampo group and 8.5% in the non-Kampo group, and the pregnancy rate was higher in the Kampo group (P = 0.003). There was no difference in pregnancy rates after the second cycle. The pregnancy rate by prescription was 26.7% for kamishoyosan, 22.2% for tokishakuyakusan, and 8.5% for the non-Kampo group. In the comparison between the first cycle pregnant group and the non-pregnant group, the qi counter flow score was clearly higher in the first cycle pregnant group (P = 0.012). It is suggested that combined use of Kampo therapy including kamishoyosan and tokishakuyakusan may be effective from an early stage. Meanwhile, if pregnancy does not occur even after the combined use of Kamp therapy, it would be an opportunity to consider stepping up as Western medical therapy.