Spinal Cord Injury Registry - NACTN

The participating centers include:

University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston University of Toronto, Toronto University
of Virginia, Charlottesville University of Louisville, Louisville University of Maryland,
Baltimore Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD Thomas Jefferson
University,Philadelphia University of Miami, Miami Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam
Houston; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans Vanderbilt
University Medical Center

The NACTN Clinical Coordinating Center is located at:

Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston

The Center for Biostatistics is located at:

Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston

The Data Management Center is located at:

University of Louisville, Louisville

Preliminary work has been completed on the selection of data elements, data collection
protocols, case record form design, and the design of a computer system for clinical data
management and data quality control.

In the first phase of the network, data will be collected on the natural history of SCI.
Although there is considerable data in the literature about the natural history of SCI,
current changes in treatment appear to be modifying the natural history. In particular very
early surgery, including decompression of the spinal cord and vertebral stabilization with
instrumentation appears, in some cases of SCI, to be improving outcomes.

No treatment is given other than standard of care for SCI. Data is collected in hopes to help
SCI patients in the future.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Any patient male or female > or equal to 18 years of age with first time spinal cord
injury caused by trauma and has neurological deficit with paralysis (weakness) or loss
of sensation (touch).

- Has not received prior medical of surgical care for this injury at an intermediate
hospital.

- Must give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any patient or family refusing consent