Central cord syndrome in Ireland: the effect of age on clinical outcome

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is a type of spinal cord injury where the upper limbs are more affected than the lower limbs, often with sensory impairment and urinary retention. This study looks at how age affects the outcome of CCS, finding that older patients (70+) tend to have worse outcomes. Alcohol intoxication is a common factor in these injuries.

• 1
  Patients under 50 years of age showed the greatest absolute and relative improvements in motor and sensory scores.
• 2
  At the final follow-up, 60% of patients aged 70 years or older had residual sphincter disturbance, while none of those under 70 did.
• 3
  Complications were more common in the older age group, with a 100% major complication rate in patients 70 years of age or older.