Effects of Dexamethasone and of Local Hypothermia on Early and Late Tissue Electrolyte Changes in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury
Eugene F. Kuchner, Robert R. Hansebout, and Hanna M. Pappius
Journal of Spinal Disorders, 2000
Canine spinal cords were injured by use of an epidural balloon and then were treated with local hypothermia or intramuscular dexamethasone or both. Motor recovery was assessed using a modified Tarlov scale. At 6 days, decrease in the percentage of dry weight and increase in sodium concentration, representing edema, occurred at and adjacent to the direct compression site in all lesioned dog groups except those treated with dexamethasone, demonstrating an antiedema effect of dexamethasone that was nullified by concurrent local hypothermia.