Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in the Treatment of Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · Oct 21, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of a special ultrasound technique to help treat people who have experienced an acute spinal cord injury. When the spinal cord is injured, it can swell and put pressure on the surrounding tissues, which can reduce blood flow and worsen the injury. By using contrast-enhanced ultrasound, doctors hope to better understand how blood is flowing in the injured area, allowing them to make more informed treatment decisions that could improve recovery outcomes.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be at least 18 years old and have experienced a recent spinal cord injury within the last 24 hours. They should be medically stable enough to undergo certain surgical procedures, like realigning the spine. Unfortunately, people with certain conditions, such as severe head injuries or specific heart problems, won't be able to participate. Those who join the trial can expect to receive standard care while also undergoing additional assessments using the ultrasound technique. This study aims to find better ways to manage spinal cord injuries and help patients regain function.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 years of age minimum
• • Acute spinal cord injury fpr less than 24 hours
• • Injury ranging from mild spinal cord injury where motor function is preserved (AIS A) to complete injury where there is no motor or sensory function below the leel of the injury (AIS D)
• • Medically stable to undergo routine dorsal decompression, spinal realignment
• • and stabilizing with segmental instrumentation
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Younger than 18 years old
• • Neurological lower extremity exam missing or intact
• • Traumatic head injury with a Glasgow score of 11 or lower
• • Cord injury level caudal to T10 (thoracic spine level 10)
• • A known sensitivity to lipid microsphere or its components, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)
• • A history of anaphylactoid reactions from ultrasound enhancing agents
• • A known history of cardiopulmonary conditions
• • Cardiac shunt