Prognostic risk factors for early outcomes of patients with myelomeningocele: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a prevalent form of neural tube defect. Despite advancements in treatment, MMC still poses significant health risks, including complications leading to chronic disability and mortality. Identifying prognostic risk factors for early outcomes is crucial for tailored intervention strategies. METHODS: This prospective study involved newborns and infants diagnosed with MMC who underwent surgery between 2020 and 2023 at Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Demographic data and surgical outcomes were collected, and participants were followed up for six months. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square, and independent t-test. RESULTS: The study included 29 MMC cases, with an incidence rate of 1.4 per 10,000 live births. Lesions were predominantly located in the lumbar spine. Although mortality rates appeared to increase with ascending lesion sites, this trend was not statistically significant. Short-term outcomes revealed high morbidity and mortality rates, with neurological deficits being the most prevalent complication. Multivariable analysis identified head circumference as a significant predictor of adverse outcomes (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.86, p = 0.04). Furthermore, an increase in birth weight was associated with a reduction in the incidence of requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (IRR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.998 to 0.999, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This prospective study highlights prognostic risk factors for early outcomes in MMC patients, emphasizing the need for personalized intervention strategies. By addressing modifiable risk factors and implementing targeted interventions, healthcare providers can strive to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for MMC patients.

Perioperative Segmentation of the Posterior Fossa and the Keel of Goodrich in Surgical Outcomes of Chiari Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Chiari I malformation (CM- I) is defined as the extension of brain tissue into the spinal cord. This study aimed to refine the methodology for the acquisition of 3-dimensional measurements of the posterior fossa and introduce occipital keel size as a new marker and its impact in patients with CM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, all patients who underwent Chiari decompression surgery at Montefiore Medical Center from April 2012 to April 2022 were included. Perioperative clinical information was obtained in addition to maximal keel thickness (KT), foramen magnum area, and pre-and postoperative posterior fossa volumes for each patient and age-matched controls. Volumetric measurements were obtained using AI-based semiautomated segmentation. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients with CM including 37 males, and 70 females were studied with a mean age of 26.56±17.31 compared with 103 controls without CM. The comparison between the CM and the general population groups demonstrated a significantly increased keel size in Chiari patients. Keel size had a significant relationship with dysphagia, paresthesia, and intraoperative blood loss, while posterior volume change had a significant relationship with sex and early symptomatic improvement. The Foramen magnum area was related to tonsillar descent and more prominent in patients with spina bifida. CONCLUSION: The Keel of Goodrich is a new anatomical factor that should be taken into consideration when evaluating preoperative symptoms, and intraoperative complications in patients with CM-1. Volumetric analyses demonstrated that posterior fossa volume change had a significant impact on early symptom improvement in patients with Chiari, as did the choice of operative approach. The routine use of semi-automated segmentation of the posterior fossa may help stratify Chiari patients in the future and should be implemented in routine clinical care.

Predicting the Outcome and Survival of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury Using Machine Learning Algorithms: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant public health issue, leading to physical, psychological, and social complications. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have shown potential in diagnosing and predicting the functional and neurologic outcomes of subjects with SCI. ML algorithms can predict scores for SCI classification systems and accurately predict outcomes by analyzing large amounts of data. This systematic review aimed to examine the performance of ML algorithms for diagnosing and predicting the outcomes of subjects with SCI. METHODS: The literature was comprehensively searched for the pertinent studies from inception to May 25, 2023. Therefore, electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched with individual search syntax. RESULTS: A total of 9424 individuals diagnosed with SCI across multiple studies were analyzed. Among the 21 studies included, 5 specifically aimed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy, while the remaining 16 focused on exploring prognostic factors or management strategies. CONCLUSIONS: ML and deep learning (DL) have shown great potential in various aspects of SCI. ML and DL algorithms have been employed multiple times in predicting and diagnosing patients with SCI. While there are studies on diagnosing acute SCI using DL algorithms, further research is required in this area.

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis study in comparing decompressive craniectomy versus craniotomy in patients with acute subdural hematoma.

There are two controversial surgery methods which are traditionally used: craniotomy and decompressive craniectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications of DC versus craniotomy for surgical management in patients with acute subdural hemorrhage (SDH) following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase up to July 30, 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Relevant articles were reviewed, with a focus on studies comparing decompressive craniectomy to craniotomy techniques in patients with SDH following TBI. Ten studies in 2401 patients were reviewed. A total of 1170 patients had a craniotomy, and 1231 had decompressive craniectomy. The mortality rate was not significantly different between the two groups (OR: 0.46 [95% CI: 0.42-0.5] P-value: 0.07). The rate of revision surgery was insignificantly different between the two groups (OR: 0.59 [95% CI: 0.49-0.69] P-value: 0.08). No significant difference was found between craniotomy and decompressive craniectomy regarding unilateral mydriasis (OR: 0.46 [95% CI: 0.35-0.57] P-value < 0.001). However, the craniotomy group had significantly lower rates of non-pupil reactivity (OR: 0.27 [95% CI: 0.17-0.41] P-value < 0.001) and bilateral mydriasis (OR: 0.59 [95% CI: 0.5-0.66] P-value: 0.04). There was also no significant difference in extracranial injury between the two groups, although the odds ratio of significant extracranial injury was lower in the craniotomy group (OR: 0.58 [95% CI: 0.45-0.7] P-value: 0.22). Our findings showed that non-pupil and bilateral-pupil reactivity were significantly more present in decompressive craniectomy. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding mortality rate, extracranial injury, revision surgery, and one-pupil reactivity.

Can Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Early Outcome in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury?

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury is a frequent debilitating neurologic condition with increasing prevalence and related morbidity over the last decades. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a promising biomarker for determining different medical conditions' disease course and outcome such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the outcome of SCI. METHOD: In a retrospective cross-sectional study from April 2019 to April 2022, all patients 18 to 65 years old, following spinal cord injury who were referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital and met inclusion and exclusion criteria enrolled in the study. A checklist including demographic data, lab, and clinical findings at admission, 24h, 48 h, and discharge were recorded. IBM SPSS Statistics software was used to analyze the data. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Six hundred patients met our inclusion criteria and enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 40.93 ± 12.77, with 75% male and 25% female. There was a significant correlation between the N/L ratio at different time points (p.value=0.001), injury type, and ASIA score at admission and discharge (0.001). Furthermore, the NLR had approached significant value alone to predict outcomes in patients enrolled in the study (0.06). CONCLUSIONS: A high NLR is unequivocally linked with poor outcomes in patients suffering from acute SCI and should be considered a negative prognostic factor; however, the NLR had approached significant predicting value in patients enrolled in the study.

The application of the Haddon matrix in identifying drowning prevention solutions in the north of Iran.

The application of the Haddon matrix in identifying drowning prevention solutions in the north of Iran is necessary. We dealt with drownings on three levels of prevention including before, during, and after the injury in northern Iran (Guilan province). This study aimed to investigate the use of Haddon's matrix in preventing three-level drowning cases before, during, and after the accident in the north of Iran. This qualitative study consisted of 9 focus groups with a sample size of 78 people including 48 nursing staff, 21 emergency medicine specialists, and 30 people from non-medical personnel (local community leaders, executive officials of relevant organizations, lifeguards, staff working in health centers, and families of victims). All group discussions were recorded and the questions were based on the focus group table. According to Haddon's table of results, the major risk group was the young and adolescent boys and more in the area of neglect in culture-building and education. In this study, the role of factors was investigated separately and the necessary solutions were presented that can be used as a scientific and practical basis to achieve the main goal of drowning prevention. These strategies require cross-sectoral collaboration, which seems to be a strong interaction with a greater focus on major risk groups to address deficiencies and prevent the recurrence of potential accidents. The study aimed to investigate the use of Haddon's matrix in the prevention of three-level drowning cases before the event, during the event, and after the event in northern Iran.

Correlation Between Clinical Findings at Admission and Glasgow Outcome Scale Score in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury has different pathophysiology and outcomes in children and adults. This study investigated the relationship between clinical and laboratory findings at admission and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score in children with traumatic brain injury. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional single-center study enrolled 444 children 1-16 years old admitted to the neurosurgery ward from 2016 to 2020. Clinical data and laboratory information were extracted from the records of these patients at admission, and the relationship with GOS score at discharge was investigated. RESULTS: The 444 patients include 249 (56.08%) boys and 195 (43.92%) girls with a mean age of 7.32 ± 4.4 years. There was no correlation between GOS score and sex (P = 0.12), age (P = 0.16), serum potassium level (P = 0.08), platelet level (P = 0.21), and blood glucose (P = 0.18). There was a significant relationship between GOS score and hypotension (P = 0.03), hyponatremia (P = 0.04), prothrombin time (P = 0.03), partial thromboplastin time (P = 0.03), pupil size (P = 0.02), pupil reaction to light (P = 0.04), and Glasgow Coma Scale score (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and laboratory findings such as hypotension, hyponatremia, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, pupil size, pupil reaction to light, and Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission could affect GOS score at discharge and result in poor outcomes in children with traumatic brain injury.

Modified unilateral periureteral injection technique in the treatment of patients with high-grade vesicoureteral reflux: A study of primary findings.

Objective: Although endoscopic treatment has been used by many pediatric urologists for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), it has no considerable success in high-grade VUR. We aimed to describe the primary outcomes of unilateral periureteral injection technique (PIT), as well as bilateral PIT in high-grade VUR. Methods: In this prospective study, we examined 92 ureters in 45 boys and 40 girls from February 2010 to May 2018. Bilateral PIT and unilateral PIT were applied in 67 and 25 refluxing units, respectively. In the unilateral PIT, the subureteral injection site was only at the 5- or 7-o'clock position. However, in the bilateral PIT, the subureteral injection sites were at 5- and 7-o'clock position. Pre- and post-operative reflux grades were evaluated by voiding cystourethrography 6 months after surgery. Results: Seven patients had bilateral reflux. Overall, 75 (81.5%) ureters showed Grade IV VUR, while 17 (18.5%) had primary Grade V VUR. The mean age of the subjects was 39.2 months. In unilateral PIT ureters, VUR was resolved in 23 (92.0%) refluxing units. It was downgraded to Grade III in one ureter (4.0%) and to Grade II in another ureter (4.0%). In addition, in bilateral PIT cases, VUR was resolved in 60 (89.6%) ureters; it downgraded to Grades II and III in 3 (4.5%) and 4 (6.0%) refluxing units, respectively. Conclusion: Unilateral PIT can be highly effective in the treatment of selected ureters of high-grade VUR. However, further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Ceftriaxone Plus Methylprednisolone Combination Therapy Versus Methylprednisolone Monotherapy in Patients With Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines do not suggest the routine use of methylprednisolone (MP) in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). We tested the hypothesis regarding whether combination therapy with ceftriaxone and MP is superior to MP monotherapy in patients with acute traumatic SCI. METHODS: In a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial, 60 patients with acute (first 8 hours of the injury) traumatic SCI were enrolled at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, between December 2016 and June 2017. Accordingly, the patients were randomly divided into 2 case and control groups (n = 30 each). Upon admission, all included patients received a bolus dose of MP at 33 mg/kg intravenously (IV) for 15 minutes. Then, after 45 minutes, MP infusion was continued for 24 to 48 hours at a 5.4 mg/kg IV dose. The case group received an additional dose of ceftriaxone at 1 g 2 times a day for 7 days through an IV route. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were checked and compared between case and control groups upon admission and on the fourth and eighth days. Also, sensory and motor functions were evaluated according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading score upon admission, on the third and seventh days, upon discharge and 6 months after admission. RESULTS: Analyses showed a significant statistical difference between groups in the changes in CRP levels during days 1 and 4 (P = .001) and also during days 4 and 8 (P = .001). However, no significant statistical difference was detected in ESR levels changes between groups during days 1 and 4 (P = .073), and during days 4 and 8 (P = .069). ASIA scale was found to be significantly different between the MP plus ceftriaxone group and MP monotherapy upon admission and 6 months after treatment (P = .001 for both comparisons). However, the number of variations in the ASIA score had no significant statistical difference between groups 6 months after intervention (P = .465). CONCLUSION: The addition of ceftriaxone to the routine therapeutic protocol of acute SCI is accompanied by improved inflammation markers and functional outcomes 6 months after the intervention.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review Study.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several prognostic factors have been developed to predict functional outcomes and mortality rate in patients with TBI. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an objective, available, low-cost, and reproducible indicator of inflammation. It is also a marker of extensive secondary damage caused by neutrophils and their products to the cerebral tissue. Accordingly, NLR has been proposed as a valuable outcome predictor in patients with TBI. Evidence emerging from several studies shows that higher NLR value is an independent predictor of poorer functional outcomes and higher mortality rate in patients with severe TBI. Further, higher NLR value is in correlation with lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores. Thus its role as a complementary index to other factors, such as Glasgow Coma Scale, in predicting outcomes after TBI is under investigation. This review aims at gathering the most recent data on the prognostic value of NLR in patients with TBI.

Cinnarizine/betahistine combination vs. the respective monotherapies in acute peripheral vertigo: a randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of cinnarizine/betahistine combination with the respective monotherapies in patients with acute peripheral vertigo (APV). METHOD: A randomized, triple-blind placebo-controlled phase III trial was performed on 162 patients with APV to compare the efficacy of cinnarizine/betahistine combination with the respective monotherapies. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 54 each) of Bet. (betahistine and placebo), Cin. (cinnarizine and placebo), and Bet. + Cin. (betahistine and cinnarizine). The first group received cinnarizine tablets (25 mg) plus placebo three times a day, the second group received betahistine tablets (8 mg) plus placebo three times a day, and the third group received betahistine (8 mg) plus cinnarizine (25 mg) combination three times a day. The treatments were continued for 1 week. Patients were followed up to 3 days and 1 week after initiation of the treatments for changes in vertigo severity measured by visual grading scale (VAS), mean vertigo score (MVS), and mean concomitant symptom score (MCSS). RESULTS: Results showed a significant difference between the groups in VAS (p = 0.001), MVS (p = 0.0001), and MCSS (p = 0.0001) at 1-week follow-up, where the respective values were significantly lower in the Cin. + Bet. group as compared with the respective monotherapies. Efficacy and tolerability of the treatment were found to be higher in the Cin. + Bet. group at 3-day and 1-week follow-up periods (p = 0.0001, for all comparisons). None of the patients reported any side effects during the study. CONCLUSION: This study indicated the superiority of the cinnarizine/betahistine combination over the respective monotherapies in the treatment of APV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20130710013947N9.

Cystic Degeneration of Cerebellar Tonsil 1 Year After Chiari I Malformation Surgery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Chiari malformation results from a bony structural anomaly of the skull base. The structural defect causes downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. The herniated tonsils block the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which causes a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. CASE REPORT: In May 2015, a 16-year-old girl was referred to our center because of a 1-year history of occipital headache, most often triggered by exercise and physical activity at school. She had experienced new-onset numbness in both hands, more severe on the right side, associated with some degrees of weakness. Eventually, an evaluation of her condition included magnetic resonance imaging in T1 and T2 sequences, which revealed a 20-mm downward migration of the cerebellar tonsils, associated with a cervical cord syrinx at the level of the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae. The patient underwent posterior fossa decompression and C1 and partial C2 laminectomies. Postoperatively there were no complications, and the patient was discharged on day 3. Postoperatively, she experienced some improvement in her symptoms. After 2 months of routine outpatient follow-up, she was better, the headaches had subsided, she could resume some activities, and there was no paresis in her limbs. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of progressive symptoms of Chiari malformation, surgical decompression is important and should be considered after shunt insertion to the hindbrain.

Effects of tranexamic acid on reducing blood loss in pelvic trauma: A randomised double-blind placebo controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Management of pelvic trauma is complicated with patients' instability and remains high in skeletal injuries. The patients usually are young and in middle age and the management of bleeding is more important. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss in pelvic trauma: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study. METHOD AND MATERIALS: In this randomized clinical trial study 106 patients with Pelvic Trauma (PT) were randomly divided into two groups. The case group received 1 g Intravenous TXA for loading dose and 3 dose per 8 h for the maintenance and control group received only serum 0.9% N.S (Normal Saline) or placebo. The Hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (HCT), Pulse Rate (PR) and Blood Pressure (BP) was checked at admission, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after admission. RESULTS: From 106 patients 61(%57.54) male and 45 (%42.46) female patients enrolled to the study. The mean age was 48.14 ±â€¯13.54 and the range was 18-60 years old. There was no difference between two groups based on Blood Pressure at admission, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after admission. There was a significant difference between two groups in 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after admission based on Hb and HCT amount. CONCLUSION: based on our findings it appears that TXA can reduce bleeding amount in the first, second and third 24 h after surgery based on Hb and HCT without any effect on systolic and diastolic BP and PR. In other hand no side effect reported by any patients.

Neurotoxicity of the antibiotics: A comprehensive study.

Antibiotics are among the most widely used medications in clinical settings. Seizures, encephalopathy, optic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and exacerbation of myasthenia gravis are important examples of neurotoxic adverse events associated with the use of antibiotics. This article aims to review the most common and important neurotoxic adverse effects associated with various antibiotics routinely used in a clinical setting.

Riluzole Can Improve Sensory and Motor Function in Patients with Acute Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes sensory, motor function and consists of a large proportion of patients that referred to trauma centers. Riluzole blocks the sodium channels and has possible supportive effects on the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of riluzole on sensory and motor improvement and pain level in patients with acute SCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this clinical trial, sixty patients with acute SCI with A to C Frankel grade selected and randomly divided into two groups (each group included thirty patients). The two groups carefully matched in terms of age, sex, and Frankel class. Case group, in addition to conventional treatment, received riluzole and was evaluated after 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month periods in terms of sensory and motor status and compared with control group. RESULTS: There were sixty patients divided into case and control groups. In the 6-week follow-up period and 3-month follow-up period, there was no significant difference between the two groups based on sensory and motor function (P = 0.053). In 6-month follow-up period, the difference was significant in case group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The compressions between two groups demonstrated a significant difference in sensory and motor improvement and reduce pain level in patients with SCI.

What do You Expect from Patients with Severe Head Trauma?

BACKGROUND: Head trauma is one of the most common mortality and morbidity causes in adolescent. Numerous studies have been conducted on changes in laboratory results and mortality and morbidity prognostic factors; however, the obtained results have been varied and controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in laboratory findings and arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses test at admission and investigation of the relation between these changes with outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, laboratory and metabolic variables were compared in patients with severe brain trauma and normal subjects. Laboratory and metabolic variables and ABG were measured on admission in patients with severe brain trauma and then compared with normal values. At last, the correlation between these variables with the prognosis in the patients was studied. RESULTS: Of 93 studied patients, 82 were male and 11 were female with the mean age of 30.54 years. Among the studied variables, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time, international normalized ratio (INR), creatinine (Cr), blood sugar, sodium (Na+), potassium, white blood cell, and blood urea nitrogen increased while hemoglobin and platelet decreased significantly. Regarding the ABG results, the difference in PaCO2, HCO3, and SO2 at values was significant; whereas there were no statistical significant difference between the discharged and expired patients. In contrast, PT, INR, Cr, and Na had significant difference comparing the discharged and expired patients. CONCLUSION: Laboratory variables do change in patients with severe brain trauma; these changes are influential on patient prognosis, especially in case of PT, INR, Cr, and Na.

Minimal Dose of Tranexamic Acid Is Effective in Reducing Blood Loss in Complex Spine Surgeries: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled study. PURPOSE: In the present study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss after laminectomy and posterolateral fusion of the spine. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Blood loss is the most significant complication involved with surgery, especially in spinal surgery. Multilevel laminectomy and laminectomy with instrumentation (pedicle screws and rods) are complex spine surgeries and are considered as medium-risk procedures for bleeding. Recent reports have demonstrated that the use of antifibrinolytic drugs during surgery may reduce the risk of postoperative bleeding and one of the most frequently used antifibrinolytics is TXA. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 50 patients eligible for laminectomy (for ≥2 level) with postero-lateral fusion with a pedicular screw (laminectomy and posterior spinal fusion) were randomly assigned to receive preoperative single doses of intravenous TXA (15 mg/kg) or 0.9% normal saline. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 30 (60%) were female and 20 (40%) were male. Between-group difference with respect to the total volume of blood loss during surgery was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that TXA can reduce both intraoperative and immediate postoperative blood loss, decrease the need for packed cell transfusion, and reduce the duration of hospitalization after complex spinal surgeries. No adverse events related to the use of TXA were encountered in this study.

Effects of Atorvastatin in Patients with Acute Spinal Cord Injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical trial study. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on sensory and motor function in patients with acute spinal cord injury. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The prevalence and incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury are increasing. Statins are well established for use in hypercholesterolemia as well as during anti-inflammatory events. METHODS: This clinical trial study included 60 patients with acute spinal cord injury. These were randomly divided into two groups: the case group which received atorvastatin and also underwent surgical therapy and the control group which only underwent surgical therapy. RESULTS: The severity of spinal cord lesions was evaluated based on the Frankel grade at three periods; this showed no significant difference between the two groups. Comparisons of the levels of pain between the groups based on a Visual Analog Scale system showed no significant difference at the three periods. CONCLUSIONS: We observed no improvement at the 3- and 6-month follow-up in patients who were administered atorvastatin. However, a comparison of the two groups based on pain severity demonstrated a significant difference, suggesting that atorvastatin had a positive effect on patients with spinal cord injury.