Major Trauma Centres & Rehab Centres
Patients are recruited at MTCs and subsequently followed up at Rehab Centres across the country. For more information on which sites are currently recruiting, please refer to Sites. Please note that there are fewer Rehab centres as they serve a larger geographical region than MTCs.
Associate PI Scheme
DISCUS is part of the NIHR Associate PI scheme. For more information and how to take part, Click Here
Mechanistic Substudy
DISCUS includes an optional study for at least 50 patients who will take part in the randomised controlled trial. The aim of the mechanistic study is to determine how duroplasty improves outcome, i.e. whether duroplasty reduces cord compression, improves blood flow to the injured cord perfusion, improves cord metabolism and reduces cord inflammation.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
| Inclusion | Exclusion |
| Age >=16 | Probable dural tear due to TSCI |
| Cervical (C2-T1) TSCI | Life limiting or rehabilitation restricting co-morbidities |
| AIS Grade A-C | Thoracic or lumbar TSCI |
| Deemed to require and be suitable for surgery that includes laminectomy by local surgeons | Other CNS disease |
| Surgery within 72 hours of TSCI | |
| Able to provide informed consent (Patient or Proxy) |
