Sensory perception in complete spinal cord injury

Objectives - To describe sensations evoked by painful or repetitive stimulation below injury level in patients with a clinically complete (American Spinal Injury Association, ASIA Grade A) spinal cord injury (SCI). Material and methods - Twenty-four patients (11 with central neuropathic pain and 13 without pain) with a traumatic SCI above the tenth thoracic vertebra were examined using quantitative sensory testing, MR imaging, and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP). Results - Painful (pressure, pinch, heat or cold) or repetitive (pinprick) stimuli elicited vague localized sensations in 12 patients (50%). Pain, spasticity, and spasms were equally seen in SCI patients with or without localized sensations. SEP and MRI did not differentiate between these two groups. Conclusion - The present study suggests retained sensory communication across the injury in complete SCI, i.e. 'sensory discomplete' SCI.