PHARMACEUTICAL TREATMENT OF ACUTE SPINAL-CORD TRAUMA

Spinal cord concussion or laceration is one of the most frequent neuro logic disorders seen in small animal practice. However, the complex se t of events that follow spinal cord injury are not yet completely unde rstood, and much controversy exists. Ischemic and biochemical changes that occur after mechanical trauma are believed to contribute to conti nued cellular destruction known as second injury. Early treatment is c ritical to limit the spread of secondary injury. Numerous pharmacologi c agents for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury have been descr ibed, but there are many opposing views regarding the efficacy of thes e agents. The use and side effects of glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal an tiinflammatory drugs, calcium-channel antagonists, narcotic antagonist s, and numerous other potentially beneficial drugs are discussed in th is article. The experimental compound tirilazad mesylate is apparently safer and more effective than drugs currently available and may be av ailable commercially in the near future.