Quadriplegic patient "resumed life" with stem cell transplantation

Following the initial success of stem cell transplantation (SCT) in the treatment of cerebral palsy and autism, Vinmec International Hospital has successfully applied autologous SCT derived from adipose tissue in order to treat spinal cord injury leading to quadriplegia, complete paralysis from the neck down for a patient. This is truly happy news, bringing new treatment opportunities for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Dao Cong T (50yo, Vinh Bao, Hai Phong) suffered from a motor vehicle accident in February 2014. The accident left Mr. T with a severe head strike, trauma to the cervical spine, spinal cord injury leading to quadriplegia.

Mr. T received extensive treatment and physiotherapies at multiple hospitals but showed no significant improvement. He remained being paralyzed in all four limbs and was only able to slightly move his fingers and toes.

Knowing that Vinmec International Hospital has adopted stem cell transplantation in their treatment, family of Mr. T transferred him to Vinmec Hospital. Here at Vinmec, the patient was injected stem cells into his medullary cavity and veins on two occasions in April and May 2014. Ten days after the first cycle, Mr. T had significant improvement. He was able to squeeze and move his hands; his legs were able to flex and extend. After one month of treatment, Mr. T’s improvement exceeded the doctors’ expectation. He was able to sit up, move, turn his body, hold spoon and eat, making phone calls, etc.

Dr. Nguyen Dac Nghia, PhD - Head of Trauma Surgery and Orthopedic Department at Vinmec International Hospital said: the treatment of spinal cord injury leading to paralysis is a difficult issue, particularly in the case of spinal cord necrosis. Up until now, the classic treatment for such conditions involve surgical removal of bony fragments compressing onto the spinal cord, dilatation of the spinal canal and spinal stabilisation. In a mild injury where there is not too much damage, the spinal cord has the ability to regenerate. However in Mr. T’s case, he has no significant improvement despite extensive treatment and physiotherapies. Therefore the treating team has decided to adopt stem cell transplantation method.

Speaking of the miraculous success of this STC case, Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem, Director of Vinmec International Hospital advised that stem cells have the ability to reduce inflammation, edema and therefore reduce the inflammatory process, relieve the spinal cord compression. The second mechanism of stem cell is increasing vascularity. In an injured area, this increase in vascularity allows increase in nutrition delivery to nerve cells and ultimately, better recovery of the spinal cord. Another mechanism of stem cell is enhancing neurotransmission and in some special cases, they can specialize into neurons and reconnect the areas of disrupted signal transmission.

Therefore, according to Professor Liem - in spinal cord and neurological injuries, beside surgeries to stabilize the spine, it is best to commence stem cell transplantation at an early stage. This is truly a new treatment method for patients with spinal damage and spinal cord injuries.

The approximate cost for an adipose-tissue derived stem cell similar to this case is 200 million VND.

Vinmec International Hospital used SCT in treatment for a number of conditions like biliary atresia, osteoarthritis of the knee, spinal cord injury. In 2014, Vinmec will apply SCT in the treatment of stroke and other autoimmune disease, in particular multiple sclerosis (leading to weak limbs, vision and speech impairment) with an increasing number of patients waiting for treatment.