Schneider Syndrome Managed Surgically or by Conservative Treatment

Abstract

Introduction. Schneider's syndrome is acute traumatic cervical central cord syndrome usually in stenotic cervical canal without other traumatic lesions. Early surgical management is controversial. The aim of this work was to study the treatment and evolution of cases of Schneider’s syndrome in our department. Methods. It was a retrospective study run over 5 years Neurosurgery Department of Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital. Results. Twenty-six (26) cases were included, all of them male. Average age was 53.69 years. Most frequent reasons of consultation were motor deficits of the 4 limbs (17 cases). On examination, the deficit predominated in thoracic limbs in 14 patients. There were 4 ASIA A, 5 ASIA B, 7 ASIA C and 10 ASIA D. Cervical traumas were mild or moderate in 22 cases. Cervical CT scan showed a narrowed cervical canal in all 24 cases where it was performed. MRI was done in 4 patients. It noted signs of spinal cord injury in all these cases. Ten patients were operated and 16 received conservative treatment. On leaving the hospital, 5 operated patients and 7 of those treated medically had partially recovered (p = 0.536). Conclusion. Schneider's syndrome most often occurred as a result of benign cervical trauma. There is no significant difference in the evolution of operated cases and those who had received conservative treatment. The therapeutic decision must be personalized and concerted.