There is an ongoing controversy about the optimal timing for surgical decompression after acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). For this reason, we performed a retrospective study of patients who were operated on after traumatic cervical SCI at the Trauma Center Murnau, Germany, and who met inclusion as well as exclusion criteria (n = 70 patients). Follow-up data were collected prospectively according to the European Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury (EMSCI) protocol over a period of 1 year. Early decompression was defined as within the first 8 h after the insult (n = 35 patients). Primary outcome was the difference in the SCIM (Spinal Cord Independence Measure) 1 year after the trauma. After the follow-up period, patients who were decompressed earlier had a significantly higher SCIM difference (45.8 vs. 27.1, p < 0.005). A regression analysis showed that timing of decompression, age, as well as basal AIS (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) and basal SCIM scores were independent predictors for a better functional outcome (SCIM). Further, patients from the early decompression group had better AIS grades (p < 0.006) and a higher AIS conversion rate (p < 0.029). Additionally, this cohort also had a better total motor performance as well as upper extremity motor function after 1 year (p < 0.025 and p < 0.002). The motor and neurological levels of patients who were operated on within 8 h were significantly more caudal (p < 0.003 and p < 0.014) after 1 year. The present study suggests that early decompression after traumatic cervical SCI might have a positive impact on the functional and neurological outcome of affected individuals.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the presence of herniation pits (HPs) and morphological indicators of cam and pincer femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) based on computed tomography (CT) examinations. CT studies of the pelvis obtained from 200 patients were retrospectively analysed for the presence of HPs and morphological abnormalities of the femoral head and acetabulum. As an indicator for cam FAI, we used the angle alpha, describing the anterior femoral head-neck junction. As an indicator for pincer FAI, we measured the acetabular coverage and the acetabular orientation. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. HPs were identified in 85 of the 200 patients. HPs were predominantly found in the superior portion of the proximal anterior femoral neck; some were located in the inferior portion. The angle alpha was significantly larger by 10% in the group with HPs. A correlation between the presence of HPs and morphological indicators of pincer FAI was not found. In conclusion HPs are not only located in the superior portion of the proximal anterior femoral neck, but also in the inferior portion. There is an association between the presence of HPs and a high value of angle alpha.

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