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Role of methylprednisolone in acute cervical cord injuries Rasool Tahir , Wani MA, Kirmani Altaf R, Ramzan Altaf U, Wani Rauf Ahmad , Imtiyaz Syed , Batool Gilani Z Abstract BACKGROUND: Management of acute cervical cord injury with neurodeficit continues to evoke debate. Glucocorticoid steroid methylprednisolone has been found to be effective in preventing secondary cord injury. Aims: This study was done to evaluate the role of methylprednisolone in acute cervical cord injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients of acute cervical cord injury with demonstrable neurological deficit were administered methylprednisolone within 8 hours of acute cervical cord injury while eighteen others were not administered this drug. The patients were assessed for neurological recovery. RESULTS: Patients who received methylprednisolone within 8 hours of injury had more motor recovery (P<0.001) than those who were not given the drug. Improvement in the pinprick scores and light touch scores were also greater at 6 weeks (P<0.001). Similar effect was also seen after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone prevents secondary cord injury to a great extent and hence its administration in the immediate post injury period results in a better functional (motor and sensory) outcome Keywords Methylprednisolone sodium succinate, Cervical cord injuries, Neurodeficit

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