The Effects of Steroids in Traumatic Thoracolumbar Junction Patients on Neurological Outcome

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to evaluate the potential effects of methylprednisolone on the neurological outcome of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with thoracolumbar junction (T10-L1) spine fractures. METHODS: The data from 182 SCI patients who sustained a thoracolumbar junction spine fracture were operated by us between September 2008 to January 2015 were analysed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 underwent methylprednisolone treatment in conjunction with early surgical intervention, while group 2 underwent only early surgical intervention without methylprednisolone treatment. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor index scores of the patients were evaluated and compared with statistical methods at admission and at the first-year follow-up. RESULTS: The main follow-up period was 14.4±1.4 months in group 1 and 13.6±1.7 months in group 2. Initial and last follow-up ASIA scores of the patients were similar between groups (p>0.05), but the complication rate was significantly high in group 1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that steroids have no significant beneficial effects on the neurological outcome but have significant side effects and leads to increased complication rate in SCI patients.