UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Neurology

Title: Steroids and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Keywords: steroids, spinal cord injury, SCI (PubMed Search)

Posted: 12/19/2007 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Aisha Liferidge, MD

  • Note that the use of steroids within 8 hours of injury for SCI is not routinely practiced worldwide and was initially based on a controversial study, the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (NASCIS I & II).
  • The approved methylprednisolone dose is 30 mg/kg IV bolus over 15 min, followed by 5.4 mg/kg/h over 23 h; begin IV infusion 45 min after conclusion of bolus.

Bracken MB, Shepard MJ, Collins WF, et al: A randomized, controlled trial of
methylprednisolone or naloxone in the treatment of acute spinal-cord injury.
Results of the Second National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study. N Engl J Med
1990 May 17; 322(20): 1405-11.