Care considerations for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Major advances have been made in pharmacological, rehabilitative, and surgical procedures related to spinal cord injury. However, these injuries still present a host of complex medical and psychosocial challenges for patients and medical practitioners. Spinal cord injuries often occur during the most active and productive time of a person's life and generally result in devastating loss of function and serious lifelong complications. This article examines patient care literature and recommends approaches to provide optimal care for patients with spinal cord injuries during diagnostic imaging examinations and interventional procedures.