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Query: UMLS:C0338671 (Steroids)
 9,479 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Steroids are commonly used in the treatment of acute spinal cord injury patients although a review of the literature fails to define a consistent regimen for administration with regard to optimal preparation or dosage or schedule. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of exogenous steroids on the outcome of experimental spinal cord injury and the effect of experimental spinal cord injury on endogenous cortisol production. Thirty female rhesus monkeys received a 660 gm cm lesion to the T10 spinal cord. They were randomly placed into one of six groups of five animals each. Two groups were controls used to assess the endogenous cortisol response to spinal cord injury. These animals received no steroids. The other four groups received one of two commonly used steroid preparations. All animals were evaluated serially for neurological status using motor testing and for general physical status. Serial cortisol determinations were obtained for an eight-week post injury period. The steroid groups showed some benefit from treatment when compared to the untreated controls. There were no significant differences in physical condition between treated and control groups. Of special interest was the response of endogenous cortisol production to spinal cord injury. Early cortisol elevation following injury peaked by eight hours and then precipitously dropped to baseline levels before 24 hours following injury.
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PMID:A comparative study of steroid therapy in acute experimental spinal cord injury. 676 74

Steroids are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for a variety of medical conditions, often long term. Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a state of pathological fatty tissue overgrowth in the vertebral canal. It is a rare and dangerous complication of chronic steroid therapy that may lead to back pain, radiculopathy, or paraparesis. We describe a patient that was taking long term steroids and presented with progressively worsening weakness of the lower extremities. On the MRI scan, a long segment of unusual accumulation of fatty deposits in the posterior aspect of the spinal canal resulting in canal stenosis extending from C7 to the T10 level was observed. Despite an appropriate diagnosis and surgical intervention, his weakness did not resolve. We discuss the implications of this case in the primary care practice.
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PMID:Steroid induced spinal epidural lipomatosis--case report and review of the literature. 2190 1