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Objective: To determine the long-term mortality rate and the types of morbidity among all people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) that occurred during the 1948 Israel War of Independence. Method: Chart review and telephone interviews for collecting demographic data, injury characteristics, marital status, physical activities, employment, morbidity and mortality. Results: Twenty individuals with SCI (19 males, one female). There was no regular follow-up during the first 20 years post injury. The most frequent morbidities were genito-urinary, cardiovascular and decubiti. Ten (50%) had died during this overall follow-up interval. The average age at death was 60 years. The cause of death was cardiovascular in six, neoplastic disease in two, pneumonia in one, and one died from an unknown cause. Conclusions: The data analysis showed that those who died participated less in physical activity and fewer were employed as compared to the survivors. Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 563‐566

Objectives Prevertebral abscess formation is an uncommon occurrence following cervical spine fusion surgery. Abscesses may present early or in a delayed fashion and require surgical drainage and long-term antibiotic treatment. The issues of osteomyelitis and the need for plate removal remain unresolved. Study Design A case series of six tetraplegic patients admitted for rehabilitation to the Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Tel Hashomer, Israel) is presented. Methods Five patients were trauma patients; one patient underwent repeated procedures and irradiation for tumor of the cervical spine. All patients developed prevertebral abscesses after a mean period of 30 days from their fusion surgery. Computed tomography scan was used in all patients to establish the diagnosis and define the extent of the infective process. All patients underwent one or more drainage procedures. The plate was removed in two patients at 1 and 4 months. Results Infection completely resolved in four patient and was refractory in one patient with malignant tumor, and a chronic small fistula remained in one case. Staphylococcus aureus was the main infective organism, but mixed infections were the rule. Even for a protracted course of infection, no significant osteomyelitis was encountered. Conclusions Abscess formation after instrumentation of the neck may be more common than formerly recognized. Despite the prolonged course of disease and treatment, osteomyelitis is not a major concern. There is no automatic indication for plate removal to control infection, although plating may be safely removed after 10 to 12 weeks if the neck is explored and the cervical spine is stable. A high index of suspicion is warranted, and early recognition and diagnosis, prompt surgical drainage under general anesthesia, and long-term antibiotic treatment are key for eradication of the infective process. Prophylactic antibiotics may be of value. Meticulous antisepsis and surgical technique should be maintained to reduce the incidence of these severe complications.

The study of traumatic stress has been biased toward pathological perspectives, with relatively few investigations assessing salutogenic possibilities. The present study assesses (1) both positive and negative psychological consequences of war captivity, and (2) the contribution of specific stressors and coping in captivity and at homecoming, to positive and negative changes. Participants in the study were 1 64 ex-POWs and 1 84 comparable controls. Results indicated that in both groups positive changes were more frequently endorsed than negative ones. Ex-POWs and controls did not differ in positive changes, yet the former reported more negative changes than the latter. The multidimensionality of human response to trauma is discussed. It is suggested that many trauma victims are able to compartmentalize their reactions and thus contain their distress so that it does not undermine subsequent psychological growth.

A new hybrid functional electrical stimulation orthosis system for the upper limb has been designed to allow for ease of use in the home as a daily treatment modality, as well as offer the opportunity for function enhancement. In a pilot study, the system was used by ten patients with chronic stable hemiparesis secondary to cerebral vascular accident and head injuries. The patients were referred by their treating physicians or therapists after meeting the inclusion criteria of good general health, being greater than one year after head injury, or being ten months post-stroke, with no observed neurologic changes in the prior six weeks. Each of these patients had received prolonged physical therapy, either continuous from the initial inpatient rehabilitation treatment or on an intermittent basis over a period of years. The baseline status for factors related to increased muscle tone, i.e., passive range of motion at the wrist and elbow, posture at rest, posture immediately following activity, and spasticity were quantified before the treatment protocol with the functional electrical stimulation orthosis. Active range of motion and tests of functional use of the involved upper limb were also assessed. The patients were instructed in the protocol, trained in the use of the system, and then used the electrical orthosis at home for up to several hours per day. Follow-up assessments were at six months. A statistically significant improvement was noted in all muscle tone/spasticity parameters measured. A separate report will describe the effects on voluntary motion and functional capabilities.

This study examines the implication of both sensation seeking and the subjective appraisal of captivity in the long‐term adjustment of ex‐prisoners of war (ex‐POWs). 164 Israeli ex‐POWs and 184 comparable controls were studied, 18 years after their participation in the Yom Kippur War. The findings indicate that high‐sensation seekers adjusted better than low‐sensation seekers to the stresses of captivity. Low‐sensation‐seeking ex‐POWs reported more PTSD symptoms, more severe psychiatric symptomatology, and more intense intrusive and avoidance tendencies. High‐ and low‐sensation‐seeking POWs differed also in feelings when taken prisoner, subjective assessment of suffering in prison, ways of coping with prison, and emotional states during captivity. The present study supports the postulation that sensation seeking is an important stress‐buffering personal resource. The role of coping styles in long‐term adjustment following war captivity is discussed.

Conservative versus surgical treatment of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine in spinal trauma

Spinal cord injuries may modify vascular reactivity in the denervated region. This study presents an original observation of altered vascular response in paraplegic patients. A group of 30 consecutive paraplegic otherwise normal individuals underwent a thorough vascular examination. There were 29 male and 1 female patient, 21 to 67 years old (average 41), all with traumatic spinal cord injury. Average time since injury was 17 years. All had good peripheral pulses and normal segmental Doppler pressure measurements. In 8 patients, plethysmography--pulse volume recording (PVR) was normal as expected. In 22 patients an unusual feature of the vascular examination was recorded, consisting of normal peripheral arterial pressures with PVR waveforms indicating poor pulsatility. This group was older than the group with normal studies: ages 44 +/- 13 vs 34 +/- 8 years (p = 0.05), and more time had elapsed since injury-20 +/- 12 vs 10 +/- 4 years (p = 0.015). The altered pulsatility demonstrated in most of those paraplegic patients may play a role in deficient wound healing frequently observed below the level of spinal neurological loss.

In traumatic brain injured patients the basic functions of the cognitive, behavioral, emotional and intellectual systems are disturbed. The patients' ability to regulate the interaction between the ego and the external world is diminished and they present inflexible, concrete and sometimes inappropriate behavior. We have not observed anosognostic phenomena in these patients. Most of them are preoccupied with their physical impairments and unaware of their intellectual deficits. We hypothesize that this preoccupation or 'hyperprosexia phenomenon' may be observed in traumatic brain injured patients. The various neuropsychological, medical and philological aspects of these terms are discussed.

Following closed traumatic spinal injuries, complications such as spinal fluid fistula, leakage or meningitis are rarely seen. The mechanisms causing a CSF fistula or leakage of CSF in these blunt injuries are obscure, while they are more understandable in penetrating injuries (Gentleman et al., 1984; Romanick et al., 1985; Wilson et al., 1976). The literature mentions subarachnoid-pleural or mediastinal fistulae but we did not find either fistulae or meningitis after closed injuries of the lumbar spine. We present our experience with these rare complications of penetrating and blunt traumatic injuries of the spine.

A review of 1300 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), over a period of 14 years, revealed 12 patients with an 'acute abdomen'. Seven events occurred during the initial admission, ranging from 10 days to 9 months from injury, and five during readmission of 'chronic' SCI patients. Four were in the acute stage 10-30 days from injury, all with peptic ulcer perforations. The remainder had either an intestinal obstruction, appendicitis or peritonitis. All of the neurological levels were above T6 except for one patient who had a low level paraplegia. The classical signs of an 'acute abdomen' may be missing in such patients thus delaying diagnosis by 1-4 days. The most important signs were autonomic dysreflexia, referred shoulder tip pain, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, increased spasticity and abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. Less importance was given to the classical signs of abdominal tenderness, abdominal muscle rigidity, rebound, fever and of leukocytosis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment will minimise morbidity and mortality.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is an uncommon, but serious, and potentially lethal complication that may occur among patients suffering severe trauma, including surgical trauma, burns, and bacterial sepsis. Because clinical findings are often nonspecific or misleading, AAC causes a particular diagnostic problem when occurring after unrelated surgery or trauma. We report two patients who suffered AAC following spinal cord injury (SCI). We review the etiology, diagnosis, and management of this disorder. Increased awareness of this problem by the physiatrist and rehabilitation community is important, because of the apparent increasing occurrence of AAC and the potential for significant morbidity and possible mortality when not promptly diagnosed.

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). No uniform therapeutic protocol exists for its treatment, and the prognosis is usually poor. Here we describe four patients having TM associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Treatment measures and delay in diagnosis between symptom onset and the initiation of treatment varied between patients, but the earlier the diagnosis and the more aggressive the treatment the better was the patient's outcome. Based on these cases and on a literature review we suggest that early aggressive treatment (usually with pulses of methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide) might improve the prognosis of patients with TM associated with antiphospholipid antibodies.

Study design: Male infertility caused by anejaculation is common among patients with spinal cord injury (SCIP). The fertility options for SCIP have improved impressively over the past 10 years. We present the Israeli experience in the treatment of infertility in a large series of SCIP. The issues which are addressed include the treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction, seminal quality and fertility management in SCIP. Setting: Sexual rehabilitation clinic, Neuro-Rehabilitation department, Sheba Medical Center, Israel. Methods: Between June 1992 and May 1998, a total of 84 consecutive SCIP were treated in our clinic with electro-ejaculation (EEJ), representing a sample of the SCIP population, composed mostly of young men traumatically injured. The patients have sustained different levels and completeness of spinal injury. Among the patients 33 were interested in achieving pregnancy (39.3%), while the rest were interested in determining fertility potential for family. With EEJ, a low-current stimulation of the ejaculatory organs via a rectal probe is done. The collected semen is used for fertility determination or for fertilization. Results: Eighty-four patients were treated by EEJ. Mean age was 31.3 and mean age at injury was 21.7. There were 29 cervical, 50 thoracic and five lumbar lesions. Sixty-three had complete injury (ASIA A) and 21 incomplete (ASIA B -15, ASIC C -5, ASIA D -1). Fifty-nine had upper motor neuron lesions, and 25 had lower motor neuron. A total of 355 stimulations were performed. Ejaculate was obtained in all patients in 350 stimulations (98.6%), and sperm was present in 74 patients (88.1%) in 296 of the stimulations (83.4%). Fairly good numbers of spermatozoa were obtained, whereas sperm motility and morphology of spermatozoa were low in most cases. A significant difference in sperm count, motility and morphology was noted between antegrade and retrograde samples. No significant improvement in sperm quality after four repeated consecutive stimulations was noted in 38 SCIP. Side effects were minor and encountered in 16 patients (19.1%). Out of 33 couples who wished to achieve pregnancy, 26 reached the stage of insemination. Four pregnancies were achieved after 33 cycles of In-Uterine-Insemination (pregnancy rate 28.6% per couple), and 15 after 68 cycles of In-Vitro-Fertilization (micromanipulation) (pregnancy rate of 68.75% per couple). In all, of 101 conception attempts 23 were successful, resulting in pregnancies in 18 couples, and accounting for an overall pregnancy rate of 70% per couple. Conclusion: The high percentage of pregnancies imply that, despite the typically poor sperm motility noted in EEJ, rectal probe EEJ combined with assisted reproductive techniques, and performed by a team approach, is an efficient and safe technique for treating infertility among SCIP. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 168–175.

Background: This article examines the longterm impact of wartime captivity. Method: One hundred sixty-four prisoners of war (POWs) and 189 matched combatants of the 1973 Yom Kippur War filled out a series of questionnaires that assessed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), general psychiatric symptomatology, and social functioning according to DSM-III-R criteria. Results: Almost 2 decades after the war, exPOWs exhibited higher rates and greater intensity of posttraumatic stress reactions, more general psychiatric symptomatology, and more severe problems in functioning at home, at work, and in the military than did the control group (Israeli veterans who were not POWs). They were also more likely to obtain official disability recognition and to seek psychological help. Their recovery was slower and professional help less effective. In addition, the veterans with PTSD in both groups had high rates of comorbid general psychiatric symptomatology. Conclusion: These findings point to the depth, range, and persistence of the stress residuals of wartime captivity.

Gynecomastia, an excessive development of the mammary glands in men, is a known phenomenon among patients with spinal cord disorder, yet in the last 50 years it has not been fully described in relation to spinal cord disorder. Over a period of 2 years, six patients with spinal cord disorder (4 secondary to a traumatic injury, 1 to decompression sickness, and 1 to transverse myelitis) manifested gynecomastia. The onset of gynecomastia occurred between 1 to 6 months after injury. These patients are presented along with a review of the possible causes for gynecomastia and a suggested workup routine. A clinical examination for the presence of gynecomastia should be performed for every patient with spinal cord disorder and a thorough endocrinological workup should follow to rule out malignancy and reassure the anxious patient undergoing a disruption of his body image.

Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) antibodies were shown to be associated with myasthenia-like neuromuscular disease. However, it is not clear whether they cause the disease, or their presence is secondary to the disease or an unrelated epiphenomenon. Therefore, AChE antibodies were studied in the sera of 135 patients with neurologic, muscular and autoimmune diseases, using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting and enzyme inhibition assay. In 12 sera the AChE binding by ELISA was greater than 2 standard deviations (SDs) above the mean value of the 20 healthy controls. However, this increased binding was not disease-specific, had no clinical correlates and could not be demonstrated using Western blotting and AChE enzyme inhibition assay, suggesting that these antibodies are naturally occurring, pathogenically unimportant autoantibodies. The finding also supports a possible pathogenic role for the previously reported, high titer, high affinity, inhibitory AChE antibodies in the neuromuscular disease.

Frenkel was born and later on practiced medicine in Heiden, Swizerland. This small town became, by his vigilant and innovative work, a place of pilgrimage for neurologists. He was the first to introduce the concept of exercise to restore dexterity and to improve ambulation and so pioneered the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Frenkel's method and philosophy became the foundation of treatment for many chronic neurological disabling diseases. His personality and work influenced many famous neurologists, worldwide.

Pulmonary embolism is a major complication after spinal cord injury and difficult to diagnose in any patient. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an unusual presentation for pulmonary embolism (PE). This article documents the records of a 60-year-old patient who was undergoing comprehensive rehabilitation after traumatic spinal cord injury and multitrauma. His treatment programme was interrupted by a PE with SVT as the only presenting symptom. This article outlines the clinical approach to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. A high index of suspicion of PE should always be kept in mind when SVT occurs in a spinal cord injured patient.

The combination of paraplegia with an above-knee amputation is a complex injury that makes the rehabilitation process difficult. This article describes a case of T12 paraplegia and an above-knee amputation. After the rehabilitation course, the patient achieved full ambulatory independence with an ischial containment, contured adducted trochanteric controlled alignment method (CATCAM) prosthesis and a knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO). Difficulties in fitting a functional prosthesis to an insensate limb and the rehabilitation stages leading to functional ambulation are reviewed.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact of war captivity and combat stress reaction on rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Israeli veterans of the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Method One hundred sixty-four former prisoners of war (POWs), 112 veterans who had had combat stress reaction, and 184 combat veteran comparison subjects filled out the PTSD Inventory, a self-report scale based on the DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD. The inventory diagnoses past and present PTSD, assesses its intensity, and provides a symptom profile. Results Thirty-seven percent of the veterans who had had combat stress reaction, 23% of the former POWs, and 14% of the comparison subjects had had diagnosable PTSD at some time in the past. The current rates were 13%, 13%, and 3%, respectively. The results showed different recovery rates over time: almost two-thirds of the veterans with combat stress reaction who had had PTSD in the past recovered, while less than one-half of the POW group showed this improvement. Conclusions These findings indicate that small but significant proportions of the POWs and veterans with combat stress reaction were still suffering from PTSD almost two decades after the war. The different recovery rates in the two groups may reflect the differences in duration and severity of stressors, the impact of immediate intervention on long-term adjustment, or both.

This is an 18-year follow-up of 164 former prisoners of war (POWs) and 190 controls. The study examined long-term morbidity, psychophysiological complaints, and illness-related behaviors. Psychophysiological complaints were found to be significantly higher among the POWs than among the controls. A significant association was also found between such complaints and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The individual's degree of impairment was associated with both objective and subjective characteristics of captivity. The authors outline differences in types of illness observed in POWs in the current study and in studies conducted in other countries, and consider the implication of characteristics of captivity and culture.

We have had the opportunity to treat and follow up two young males with cauda equina syndromes after recurrent resection of intraspinal lipomas. This condition is relatively rare. The patients underwent myelographies, operations, long periods of hospitalisation, and rehabilitation. The syndromes included low back pain, arachnoiditis, and recurrence of the lipoma after several years and multiple operations. These are the problems that we were faced with: (1) Although the tumor is benign it is impossible to resect it completely. (2) There are complications which interfere with rehabilitation, including pain, arachnoiditis, and neurological deterioration. (3) Long term prognosis might be grave and the patient and family should know this. (4) Physiotherapy and sports: should these patients perform strenuous exercise or not?

Eighty-four spinal cord injured patients (SCIP) injured as a result of penetrating missiles were categorised according to: neurological level of injury, age at time of injury, circumstances of injury, missile type, initial treatment, duration of injury, and ethnic background. Evaluations and comparisons were made concerning: life habits, family status, education, employment, and mental well being. A discussion of complicating factors, both physical and psychological, and their relation to the final rehabilitation result is presented.

A large number of casualties caused by war are in need of medical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation facilities are unable to cope adequately with them without advance planning and preparedness. Guidelines are suggested for the planning and preparation of a hospital rehabilitation system for war, including the formulation of policies, expanding and strengthening of existing rehabilitation facilities, and converting institutions, as well as securing the necessary human and material resources. It is also suggested that such plans and preparations should be adapted to form a basis for meeting rehabilitation needs caused by natural and civil disasters.

Since 1973 intermittent catheterisation was introduced in our centre and this practically eliminated pathology of the urethra. More than half of the patients had a high and complete lesion. It is our impression that 5 years following injury more than half of the patients preserved a normal upper urinary tract; however, only 39 of the 92 patients had a follow-up of over 5 years. Nephrolithiasis was rare in comparison to other reports in spite of belonging to the stone belt area. Complications of the lower urinary tract including a 10 per cent incidence of vesico-ureteric reflux were compatible with other series. Narrowing of the external sphincter on voiding cystogram should be substantiated by a profile pressure record. One female patient is a candidate for ileal conduit. Most of the patients have some form of erection but the data on ejaculation should be accepted with reserve. Two patients in this series died more than 10 years after injury, one due to a myocardial infarction and the other due to chronic renal failure following secondary amyloidosis.

Thirty-eight patients (8 women and 30 men) with spinal cord injury were investigated. All had been immobilised after the traumatic event. The time elapsed since their accidents varied from 2 to 74 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected to investigated calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium, alkaline phosphate, phosphore, haemoglobin, creatinine, uric acid and proteins in blood, and the urinary excretion of phosphore, hydroxyproline, creatinine, amino acids, calcium, calcium, magnesium and zinc. The methods were estimately by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The serum zinc levels did not differ statistically from normal and the calcium and magnesium levels in the serum were lower among the patients than in normal controls. The urinary excretion of zinc, calcium, phosphore and hydroxyproline was higher among the patients without correlation to the patients' age. The zinc excretion is negatively correlated to the time elapsed since the injury, but it is still high 3 months after trauma. The highly significant correlation between urinary zinc and hydroxyproline excretion, together with increased calcium and phosphore excretion, suggests that zinc may be involved in the process of osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury.

We describe ten patients with spinal cord disease or injury who developed upper extremity and shoulder complications during rehabilitation. These shoulder complications caused delay in rehabilitation. We discuss the aetiology, treatment and management of shoulder complications in spinal patients and in patients with other neurological diseases.

Twenty four of more than 800 patients admitted to our centre presented with a severe Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The length of hospitalisation, duration of illness, treatment, and the rehabilitation course of these patients are discussed. Suggestions are made concerning the necessity to obtain maximal rehabilitation for these patients.

The clinical impression that spinal cord injured and traumatic lower limb amputees are more prone to develop degenerative diseases was investigated by comparing the prevalence of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus in these two patient groups with the prevalence of these diseases among a group of healthy age-matched controls. Seventy seven spinal cord injured patients and 53 amputees fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in this study. Our results show a significant increased incidence of hypertension and ischaemic heart disease among those with spinal cord injuries compared with their controls; and among the amputees, a significant increased incidence of ischaemic heart disease and of diabetes mellitus.

Since Sir Ludwig Guttmann introduced the comprehensive modern clinical approach to the rehabilitation of spinal cord injured patients much experience has been accumulated. Modern spinal cord injuries centres have opened throughout the world, treating mainly acute spinal cord injuries in young patients. At Stoke Mandeville Hospital we have had the opportunity to treat several spinal patients who had suffered previous neurological or orthopaedic disorders. These complicated combinations affected the rehabilitation process and the presentations show clearly different aspects of the problem.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of a vertebral body presenting with acute paraplegia is reported. Complete recovery followed immediately after surgery.

Complete spinal cord injury results in abolition of motor, sensory and autonomic functions. Among the autonomic functions, the sexual system is seriously disturbed. The spinal cord injury with its many complications offers a challenge to the rehabilitation team, and the sexual problem is one of its most important aspects. For the female paraplegic, rehabilitation of sexual functions is an essential part in the building of a positive new self-image. In this review, we try to summarize the gynecological and obstetrical aspects of spinal cord injured women. Although the innervation of the reproductive system is damaged, this system continues to function and the menstrual cycle resumes its normal course after a while. Ovulation takes place regularly and pregnancy is possible. Today the general opinion is that the pregnant paralyzed woman can deliver vaginally and not by cesarean section as was believed before. We emphasize the importance of special medical care before, during and after delivery. The cooperation between physiatrist and gynecologist is mandatory.

The paper presents the rehabilitation framework of spinal cord injured patients in the Sir Ludwig Guttman Centre in Israel. The social worker's special role in our centre is described, from the beginning of his work just after the patient's admission. A trusting relationship is established between the patient and the social worker throughout hospitalisation and subsequently. The social worker also deals with the special needs of the patient's family, providing emotional support and information on legal rights, etc. We present the specific social structure of Israel in relation to the rehabilitation of the disabled as well as the different official agencies providing services for them. There are considerable differences between the benefits provided by the various agencies for the needs of the spinal-cord injured. As the needs of the injured are the same, irrespective of the cause of injury, the task of the social worker is, therefore, extremely difficult.

Patients with a high level tetraplegia from a spinal injury have only been able to survive the critical initial period since the development of modern resuscitation techniques including artificial respiration. However, their lives are still threatened by many complications, such as decubitis ulcers, infections and respiratory failure. We describe four young tetraplegic patients who developed an unusual sepsis pattern several years after the injury. The sepsis was accompanied by hypothermia, leukopenia and mental deterioration. This peculiar 'silent' sepsis may also occur in elderly people who are not paralysed. The question arises, therefore, if the chronic spinal cord injured patient may become 'prematurely aged'.

A brief account is given of patients who sustained a spinal cord injury while playing or practising sports or during leisure time physical activities. We have not attempted to analyse the various mechanisms of injury, but to record the striking fact that 13 of the 19 patients are tetraplegics. These devastating results could be prevented by adequate precautions and attention.

Six women with a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) developed hyperprolactinemia, amenorrhea and galactorrhea. Five of them had thoracic level lesions and 1 had a lumbosacral lesion. Two were postpartum and 1 was pregnant at the time of injury. Transient diabetes insipidus developed in 1 patient. Temporary administration of bromocriptine decreased prolactin levels, caused cessation of lactation and restored ovulatory cycles. The syndrome disappeared spontaneously in all 6 patients. Pituitary stalk concussion resulting from the trauma might cause this phenomenon, with the level of the cord injury playing a role. Being pregnant or early postpartum can predispose women to develop this syndrome.

Thirteen different patients involving spinal cord pathology with delayed or false diagnosis are presented and these diagnostic pitfalls are discussed. Many seemingly simple explanations for para or quadriplegia are suddenly quite complex upon scrutiny. The problem of proper diagnosis is capital in instituting proper therapy, advising the patient and his family, and unfortunately in today's medical climate, for medical legal reasons.

A case of osteomylitis of the foot and ankle bones with subsequent complications is presented. Antibiotic therapy was unsuccessful and a below-knee amputation was performed. A comparison of the various Mycobacteria species and their role as etiologic agents in osteomyelitis follows.

Modern medicine has greatly benefitted spinal cord injured patients. The daily process of their rehabilitation, however, creates serious ethical problems, which the clinician attempts to solve using a humanistic, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach. We present some of those conflicts, especially those caused by the survival of totally dependent patients and those related to our communication with the patient and his family.

A hypothesis is advanced concerning the relationship of poliomyelitis viruses and late developing neoplasia in the central nervous system. The literature is surveyed, and several experimental approaches based upon known evidence of viral and neoplastic behaviour are advanced. The present status of world polio incidence is discussed as it applies to this possible relationship.