THE PROGNOSIS AND THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH A C3 4 SPINAL-CORD INJURY/

Twenty patients with a C3/4 spinal cord injury have been treated in ou r hospital since 1974. There were 15 new patients. The average follow up period was 68 months, ranging from 7 to 162 months. The 15 new case s were classified as Frankel A in nine cases, B in one, and C in five. Frankel A or B were usually accompanied by either an unstable spinal fracture or by spinal canal stenosis at the C3/4 level. Twelve patient s received surgery. At the most recent follow up, eight of the 15 pati ents (53.3%) had improved according to Frankel's classification. Five, all Frankel A on remission, have died between 2 and 156 months after injury. Seven patients required tracheotomy on account of severe respi ratory disturbance.