RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Non-invasive diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) relies on estimation of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) via Doppler echocardiographic measurement of tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG). The pulmonary vein-to-right pulmonary artery ratio (PV/PA) recently has been described for the detection of pulmonary venous congestion. Whether this variable could be used to detect the presence of precapillary PH is unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic value of PV/PA for prediction of TRPG, as a surrogate of PAP, in dogs with PH of precapillary origin. ANIMALS: Sixty-seven client-owned dogs were included in the study. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Dogs with a measurable TRPG were included and classified into group 1 (TRPG < 30 mmHg), group 2 (TRPG 30-49 mmHg), group 3 (TRPG 50-80 mmHg), or group 4 (TRPG > 80 mmHg). The PV/PA, acceleration time-to-ejection time ratio of pulmonary artery flow, main pulmonary artery diameter-to-aortic diameter ratio, and right pulmonary artery distensibility index were measured retrospectively from cineloops in each dog. RESULTS: The PV/PA measured by both two-dimensional (2D) and time-motion mode(MM) echocardiography decreased proportionally with PH severity. Using regression analysis, PV/PA (2D) was identified as the strongest predictor for TRPG (R2 = 0.70, p < 0.0001) among other variables studied, with a good diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve = 0.94) for moderate PH (TRPG > 50 mmHg) using a cutoff value of < 0.70 (sensitivity = 96%, specificity = 82%). CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest that PV/PA can be useful as an additional, non-invasive, and indirect variable to identify precapillary PH in dogs.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/diagnóstico , Hipertensão Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Artéria Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagem , Animais , Doenças do Cão/diagnóstico por imagem , Cães , Ecocardiografia Doppler/veterinária , Feminino , Hipertensão Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagem , Masculino , Sensibilidade e EspecificidadeRESUMO
In humans, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis infections are suggested to trigger or exacerbate asthma. Whether Mycoplasma or Bordetella are associated with chronic inflammatory bronchial diseases in dogs has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess detection rates of Mycoplasma canis (M. canis), M. cynos and Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb), in dogs with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP) and chronic bronchitis (CB), compared with healthy dogs. Specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis for M. canis, M. cynos and Bb were retrospectively performed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from 24 dogs with EBP, 21 dogs with CB and 15 healthy dogs. Possible associations between qPCR results and age, BALF cytology or clinical severity scores (CSS) in dogs with EBP were investigated. There was no difference in M. canis, M. cynos and Bb detection rates in dogs with EBP (n=6, n=2 and n=6, respectively) and dogs with CB (n=2, n=2 and n=2, respectively) compared with control dogs (n=4, n=2 and n=2, respectively). In dogs with EBP, the proportion that were qPCR-positive for Bb was higher in dogs with higher CSS (P=0.014) and BALF from Bb-positive dogs had higher percentage of neutrophils (P<0.001). Among dogs that were qPCR-positive for Bb, moderate to high loads were only detected in dogs with EBP. M. canis and M. cynos detection was not associated with EBP or CB; higher Bb loads were only present in dogs with EBP and high CSS. A possible cause and effect relationship between Bb infection or load and EBP remains unclear and requires further investigation.
Assuntos
Bronquite Crônica/veterinária , Líquido da Lavagem Broncoalveolar/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Eosinofilia Pulmonar/veterinária , Animais , Carga Bacteriana/veterinária , Infecções por Bordetella/veterinária , Bordetella bronchiseptica/genética , Bordetella bronchiseptica/isolamento & purificação , Bronquite Crônica/microbiologia , Cães , Mycoplasma/genética , Mycoplasma/isolamento & purificação , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Eosinofilia Pulmonar/microbiologia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the use of antibiotics and the extent of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). AIMS: To record the use of antibiotics, establish the prevalence of AAD and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), and assess if there was any seasonal variation in antibiotic use and incidence of AAD in patients with SCIs. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in six European SCI centres between October 2014 and June 2015. AAD was defined as two or more watery stools (Bristol Stool Scale type 5, 6 or 7) over 24 h. FINDINGS: In total, 1267 adults (median age 54 years, 30.7% female) with SCIs (52.7% tetraplegia, 59% complete SCI) were included in this study. Among the 215 (17%) patients on antibiotics, the top three indications for antibiotics were urinary tract infections (UTIs), infected pressure ulcers and other skin infections. Thirty-two of these 215 (14.9%) patients developed AAD and two patients out of the total study population (2/1267; 0.16%) developed CDI. AAD was more common in summer than in spring, autumn or winter (30.3% vs 3.8%, 7.4% and 16.9%, respectively; P<0.01). AAD was associated with age ≥65 years, tetraplegia, higher body mass index, hypoalbuminaemia, polypharmacy, multiple antibiotic use and high-risk antibiotic use. Summer and winter seasons and male sex were identified as independent predictors for the development of AAD. CONCLUSION: This survey found that AAD is common in patients with SCIs, and UTI is the most common cause of infection. Summer and winter seasons and male sex are unique predictors for AAD. Both AAD and UTIs are potentially preventable; therefore, further work should focus on preventing the over-use of antibiotics, and developing strategies to improve hospital infection control measures.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/efeitos adversos , Infecções por Clostridium/epidemiologia , Diarreia/epidemiologia , Diarreia/microbiologia , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Idoso , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Clostridioides difficile/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Clostridium/tratamento farmacológico , Uso de Medicamentos , Europa (Continente)/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Lineares , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Uso Excessivo de Medicamentos Prescritos , Prevalência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Estações do Ano , Inquéritos e Questionários , Reino Unido/epidemiologia , Infecções Urinárias/complicações , Infecções Urinárias/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The use of quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of Bordetella bronchiseptica in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and demonstration of bacteria adhering to ciliated epithelial cells in BALF or bronchial brushing fluid (BBF) has not been assessed in a series of affected dogs. Coinfections can worsen the clinical severity in bordetellosis, but the specific association with Mycoplasma cynos has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To assess the utility of culture, qPCR and cytologic examination of cytospin preparations in the diagnosis of bordetellosis in dogs and the influence of coinfection by M. cynos on disease severity. ANIMALS: Twenty-four referred dogs with B. bronchiseptica infection and 10 healthy dogs. METHODS: Retrospective case series. qPCR (B. bronchiseptica and M. cynos) and culture results from BALF were recorded. Cytospin preparations from BALF and BBF were reviewed. qPCR on BALF from 10 healthy dogs were used as negative control. RESULTS: The BALF culture and qPCR detected B. bronchiseptica in 14/24 and 18/18 dogs, respectively. Coccobacilli were found adhering to ciliated epithelial cells in 20 of the 21 BALF cytologic preparations where epithelial cells were found, and 2/3 BBF cytologic preparations. Quantitative PCR detected a low level of B. bronchiseptica in one healthy dog. The frequency of detection of M. cynos was not significantly different in B. bronchiseptica (9/17 dogs) compared with healthy dogs (2/10 dogs) (P = .09). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Quantitative PCR detection of B. bronchiseptica in BALF appears to be a useful diagnostic tool. Cytologic examination of BALF or BBF, when positive, allows a rapid and reliable diagnosis.
Assuntos
Infecções por Bordetella/veterinária , Bordetella bronchiseptica/patogenicidade , Líquido da Lavagem Broncoalveolar/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Mycoplasma/patogenicidade , Infecções Respiratórias/veterinária , Animais , Infecções por Bordetella/microbiologia , Líquido da Lavagem Broncoalveolar/citologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Cães , Feminino , Masculino , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Infecções Respiratórias/microbiologia , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
In humans, horses, and rodents, an association between pulmonary fibrotic disorders and gammaherpesvirus infection has been suggested. In dogs, canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF), a progressive fibrotic lung disease of unknown origin and poorly understood pathophysiology, has been reported to occur in West Highland white terriers (WHWTs). The present study investigated the potential association between CIPF and herpesvirus infection. A PCR assay, using a mixture of degenerate and deoxyinosine-substituted primers targeting highly conserved regions of the DNA polymerase gene (DPOL) of herpesviruses, was applied on both lung and blood samples from WHWTs affected with CIPF and controls. Herpesvirus DPOL sequence could not be amplified from any of 46 lung samples (28 affected WHWTs and 18 control dogs of various breeds) and 38 blood samples (19 CIPF WHWTs and 19 control age-matched WHWTs) included. An association between CIPF and herpesvirus infection is therefore unlikely. Investigation of other causes of the disease is warranted.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/virologia , Infecções por Herpesviridae/veterinária , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/veterinária , Animais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Cães , Feminino , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/virologia , Pulmão/virologia , Masculino , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterináriaRESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: Systematic Review. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of interventions enhancing (re)employment following spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Studies from multiple countries were included. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CINAHL, PsycINFO and SPORTDISCUS databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRSs) describing a hospital- or a community-based intervention aiming at employment in a SCI population were selected. Quality appraisal was done using the SIGN methodology, and the quality of evidence was graded using the Grade approach. Data extraction was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook. Employment rate and duration were primary outcomes. RESULTS: Only one RCT, including 201 patients describing an intervention over 1 and 2 years, was of sufficient quality. In this study, the employment rate was 26% after 1 and 31% after 2 years for competitive work, compared with 10% in the treatment as usual-intervention site (TAU-IS) control group and 2% in the treatment as usual observational site (TAU-OS) after 1 and 2 years. Other studies were of low quality and describe higher employment rates from 36 to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Only one RCT was of sufficient quality and showed evidence that a vocational rehabilitation programme based on the principles of supported employment integrated in a multidisciplinary team enhances employment for SCI people. As the vast majority of studies included in this review are of low methodological quality, further research is needed.
Assuntos
Emprego , Hospitais , Reabilitação Vocacional/métodos , Características de Residência , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/reabilitação , Humanos , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/psicologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To describe Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a series of clinical cases over a 12-month period, report the use of quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and investigate the -possibility of previously undiagnosed angiostrongylosis in a retrospective cohort of coughing and healthy dogs. METHODS: Pulmonary angiostrongylosis was diagnosed based on compatible clinical signs and positive quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and/or positive Baermann examination. Quantitative PCR was also performed retrospectively on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid from 65 dogs (55 coughing and 10 healthy dogs), examined between 2008 and 2014; results of Baermann examination were also available in 33 dogs. RESULTS: Seven young adult dogs from Southeastern Belgium with respiratory clinical signs were diagnosed with angiostrongylosis between March 2013 and April 2014. Positive broncho-alveolar lavage fluid quantitative PCR results and positive Baermann examination were obtained in 5/5 and 2/5 dogs, respectively. In the remaining two dogs, only Baermann analysis was performed. Among the retrospective cohorts, only one broncho-alveolar lavage fluid from a coughing dog was quantitative PCR-positive whereas all faecal samples were negative. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Until recently, canine angiostrongylosis was not reported in Belgium. It should now be included in the differential diagnosis of coughing Belgian dogs. Identification of affected dogs may be aided by quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid.
Assuntos
Angiostrongylus , Líquido da Lavagem Broncoalveolar/parasitologia , Doenças do Cão/diagnóstico , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/veterinária , Infecções por Strongylida/veterinária , Animais , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Estudos Retrospectivos , Infecções por Strongylida/diagnósticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Early recognition of left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) is important because it influences medical therapy, timing of follow-up, and outcome. HYPOTHESIS: Pulmonary vein diameter-to-pulmonary artery diameter ratio (PV/PA) measured by echocardiography can predict CHF. ANIMALS: Ninety-eight client-owned dogs, 37 controls, and 61 dogs with DMVD. METHODS: Prospective clinical cohort study. History, physical examination and Doppler-echocardiography were performed. Dogs were classified as International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council class I, II or III. Congestive heart failure was identified in a subset of 56 dogs based on radiographic findings. The PV/PA was measured in bidimensional (2D) and M-mode by 2 investigators blinded to the radiologists' conclusions. RESULTS: Interobserver coefficients of variation for PV/PA acquisition and measurement were <10%. The PV/PA in control dogs was approximately 1 and increased with class of heart failure. The presence of CHF could be best predicted by measuring PV/PA in 2D echocardiography (cut-off, 1.7; area under the curve, 0.98; CI, 0.97-0.98; P < .001) with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 91%. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The PV/PA is a simple and reproducible echocardiographic variable that increases with class of heart failure and may help discriminate dogs in CHF from asymptomatic dogs with DMVD. Additional studies are required to determine whether PV/PA might provide additional information in the integrated interpretation of Doppler-echocardiographic indices of left ventricular filling pressures and could be used for rapid assessment of CHF in dogs in a critical care setting.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/patologia , Ecocardiografia/veterinária , Insuficiência Cardíaca/veterinária , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/veterinária , Artéria Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagem , Veias Pulmonares/diagnóstico por imagem , Animais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Cães , Insuficiência Cardíaca/patologia , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/patologia , Artéria Pulmonar/patologia , Veias Pulmonares/patologiaRESUMO
The West Highland white terrier (WHWT) is particularly prone to canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF). We hypothesized that higher circulating concentrations of chemokines CXCL8, CCL2, serotonin (5-HT), or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could serve as predisposing factors for CIPF development in the WHWT breed. Serum samples from 103 healthy dogs of seven different breeds variably predisposed to CIPF were collected. Serum CXCL8 concentrations were higher in healthy WHWT compared with each of the other groups of healthy dogs. Serum CCL2 concentrations were higher in healthy WHWT and Maltese compared with King Charles spaniels and Malinois Belgian shepherds. No relevant inter-breed differences were observed for serum 5-HT concentrations regarding CIPF predisposition. VEGF values from 89.3% of samples tested were below the kit detection limit. In conclusion, high CXCL8 blood concentrations and possibly CCL2 concentrations might be related to the breed predisposition of the WHWT for CIPF and warrants further investigations.
Assuntos
Quimiocina CCL2/sangue , Doenças do Cão/sangue , Predisposição Genética para Doença/genética , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/veterinária , Interleucina-8/sangue , Serotonina/sangue , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/sangue , Animais , Doenças do Cão/genética , Cães , Genótipo , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/sangue , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/genética , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To (1) examine the opinions of medical staff working in spinal cord injury (SCI) centres (SCICs); (2) evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards obesity prevention and management; (3) report the number of beds and dietitians available at each SCIC. METHODS: A 37-item questionnaire was sent to 23 SCICs in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland between September 2012 and January 2013. RESULTS: Eighteen SCICs returned the questionnaires for analysis. All respondents stated that they had an interest in obesity treatment but only 2.3% of the respondents received training in obesity management. Sixty-one percent of staff did not consider body mass index (BMI) to be appropriate for use in SCI patients and subsequently less than half of the respondents use BMI routinely. The majority of respondents reported that they are confident in dealing with overweight (74.5%) and obese (66.1%) SCI adults, less than half (44.1%) are confident in treating overweight and obese SCI children. Respondents also indicated the need for nationally adopted guidelines and a lack of physical activity provision. There were 17.5 whole-time equivalent (WTE) dietitians recorded in 22 SCICs, equivalent to 47.8 beds per WTE dietitians (range 10-420). Non-UK SCIC dietitians are significantly better resourced than in UK SCICs (beds per WTE dietitian: 36 vs 124, P=0.035). CONCLUSION: Medical staff expressed the need to participate in obesity prevention and management. Appropriate training should be considered for all medical staff and the development of specific weight management guidelines and dietetic provision should be considered.
Assuntos
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Gerenciamento Clínico , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Corpo Clínico/psicologia , Obesidade/terapia , Índice de Massa Corporal , Europa (Continente)/epidemiologia , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Masculino , Obesidade/etiologia , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in dogs is poorly understood. In human, transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) is considered central in the pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate TGF-ß1 pathway in IPF. ANIMALS: Lung tissues from 12 affected and 11 control dogs. Serum from 16 affected West Highland white Terriers (WHWTs) and healthy dogs from predisposed (13 WHWTs, 12 Scottish Terriers and 13 Bichons Frise) and nonpredisposed breeds (10 Whippets, 10 Belgian shepherds, 8 Labradors). METHODS: In this prospective study, immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate expression and localization of TGF-ß1 protein and proteins involved in TGF-ß1 signaling (TGF-ß receptor type I and phospho-Smad2/3). Pulmonary expression of TGF-ß1 and molecules involved in its storage (latent TGF-ß binding proteins [LTBP] 1, 2, and 4), activation (ανß6 and ανß8 integrins, thrombospondin-1) and signal inhibition (Smad 7) was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Circulating TGF-ß1 concentration was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In IPF, high level of TGF-ß1 protein was found in areas of fibrosis, epithelial cells had strong expression of TGF-ß receptor type 1 and phospho-Smad2/3, gene expression was decreased for LTBP 4 (P = .009) and ß8 integrin (P < .001) and increased for thrombospondin-1 (P = .016); no difference was seen for Smad7, LTBP1 and 2. Serum TGF-ß1 concentration was higher in predisposed compared with nonpredisposed breeds (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study identified an enhanced TGF-ß1 signaling activity in IPF. TGF-ß1 storage and activation proteins with altered expression represent potential therapeutic targets. Higher circulating TGF-ß1 concentration in predisposed breeds might partly explain their susceptibility for IPF.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/etiologia , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/veterinária , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/fisiologia , Animais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Doenças do Cão/fisiopatologia , Cães , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/etiologia , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/fisiopatologia , Pulmão/química , Pulmão/metabolismo , Pulmão/fisiopatologia , Receptores de Fatores de Crescimento Transformadores beta/análise , Receptores de Fatores de Crescimento Transformadores beta/metabolismo , Receptores de Fatores de Crescimento Transformadores beta/fisiologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa/veterinária , Proteína Smad2/metabolismo , Proteína Smad3/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/análise , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/sangue , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/metabolismoRESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To describe the case of a spinal cord injury patient that went scuba diving resulting in a mechanical deformation of his intrathecal baclofen pump. SETTING: University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Diving below 10 meters of depth can result in irreversible mechanical damage of the drug reservoir of an intrathecal baclofen pump. CONCLUSION: Patients with an intrathecal baclofen pump should be warned for the risks associated with scuba diving and should not dive more than 10 meters below sea level.
Assuntos
Baclofeno/uso terapêutico , Mergulho/efeitos adversos , Relaxantes Musculares Centrais/uso terapêutico , Espasticidade Muscular/tratamento farmacológico , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/tratamento farmacológico , Acidentes , Adulto , Baclofeno/administração & dosagem , Humanos , Bombas de Infusão Implantáveis/efeitos adversos , Injeções Espinhais/métodos , MasculinoRESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: Review. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to highlight the epidemiology of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in Sub-Saharan Africa in order to improve prevention strategies. SETTING: University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. METHODS: Pubmed was searched over August and September 2010. A combination of the following MeSH-terms was used: 'Africa South of the Sahara', 'Spinal Cord Diseases', 'Paraplegia' and 'Spinal Cord Injuries'. Limits were set on articles published as from 1990. The World Health Organization database was also consulted. RESULTS: We obtained 243 hits of which 13 articles were relevant to the case. These papers covered seven countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In traumatic SCIs, motor vehicle accidents are the most frequent cause of injury followed by falling from a height and thirdly violence, being the most important cause of SCI in South Africa. In the Plateau State of Nigeria, collapsing tunnels in illegal mining are the most prevalent cause. For the non-traumatic SCIs, tuberculosis appeared to be the most important cause, followed by malignant illnesses. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology tests were only available in the article concerning Ethiopia. Relatively more men were involved in traumatic SCIs and the average age was higher in the non-traumatic than in the traumatic group. CONCLUSION: Although literature on the subject is scarce, prevention should focus on road-safety, tuberculosis and HIV. Standardized registration of SCI is needed for prevention and further research. The use of the current International SCI core data set should be encouraged worldwide as a uniform classification method.
Assuntos
Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/epidemiologia , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/etiologia , África Subsaariana/epidemiologia , HumanosRESUMO
Several reports have pointed to the unevenness in the UK of services for rehabilitation after head injury. A study was conducted in the Eastern Region of England to define the key stages in recovery and rehabilitation, by an iterative process of questionnaire, interview and consensus conference. Findings were translated into a draft set of maps showing current availability of services which were revised after feedback. Working groups then developed a set of definitions and classification codes for each stage of rehabilitation which were likewise disseminated for feedback. The maps were then redrafted to correspond with the definitions together with a flowchart of potential head injury rehabilitation services. The definitions were piloted at a regional neurosurgery unit and a rehabilitation hospital. Core services for neurorehabilitation region-wide were found to be variable and uncoordinated with fragmented and inequitable allocation of resources. The definitions and mapping system that emerged from this study should facilitate the design of care pathways for patients and identify gaps in the services.