Methylprednisolone Given by 24-Hour or 48-Hour Infusion Versus Tirilazad for Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Spinal Cord Injury focused on measuring environmental/toxic disorders, neurologic and psychiatric disorders, rare disease, spinal cord injury
Eligibility Criteria
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Acute spinal cord injury; diagnosis confirmed by study physician using National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study neurologic exam Glasgow Coma Score greater than 9 Randomization within 6 hours of injury required; treatment must begin within 8 hours of injury No root involvement only; no cauda equina only --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Methylprednisolone bolus (20-40 mg/kg) prior to hospital admission allowed --Patient Characteristics-- Hematopoietic: No hematologic contraindication to protocol therapy Cardiovascular: No vascular contraindication to protocol therapy Other: No diabetes; No gunshot wound; No gastrointestinal bleeding; No life-threatening co-morbidity; No other medical contraindication to protocol therapy; No pregnant women; No patients under indictment or incarcerated; No conditions that would complicate follow-up, e.g.: out-of-state residency or illegal alien status