ORIGINAL ARTICLE: PDF OnlyGastrointestinal Complications of Spinal Cord InjuryGORE, RICHARD M. MD; MINTZER, RICHARD A. MD; CALENOFF, LEONID MD Author Information Department of Radiology, Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System, and The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois. Spine 6(6):p 538-544, November 1981. Buy Abstract The incidence, nature, and radiographic features of gastrointestinal complications encountered in a group of 567 consecutive spinal-cord-injury patients are reported. Eighty-seven episodes of gastrointestinal complications developed in 63 (11%) patients. During the first month post injury, these complications consisted of ileus, gastric dilatation, the body cast syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, and pancreatitis. More chronically these patients presented with fecal impactions, peptic ulcer disease, the superior mesenteric artery syndrome, hepatitis, amyloidosis, and the precocious appearance of diverticulosis, hiatus hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux. Radiographic findings were diagnostic in the majority of cases and aided in the early diagnosis of these potentially life-threatening complications. © Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
