Dong Chuang from China

Case：Dong Chuang from China

Nationality：

China

Age：

21 years old

Diagnosis：

Spinal cord injury

First Admission Date：

Sep 2006 （First Course of Treatment）

Second Admission Date：

May 2007 （SecondCourse of Treatment）

Third Admission Date：

Nov 2007（Third Course of Treatment）

Fourth Admission Date：

Jan 2009（Fourth Course of Treatment）

Fifth Admission Date：

Mar 2010（Fifth Course of Treatment）

Background

Mr. Dong is a Chinese 24 years old male patient suffering from spinal cord injury. He happened to be injured to his head, face, neck by falling walls in 2005. MRI of his spinal cord before the stem cell implantation showed: C3-C7 spinal cord disconnected and liquefied. He was given the first stem cell treatment and almost 1 year rehabilitation therapy.

This patient’s story is edited and produced into a short film, which is published on a TV programme, named "From Broken Neck to Recovery" of CCTV channel and can be watched globally.

Pre-Treatment Condition (Before the First Course of Treatment)

1. Motor function: Upper limbs showed muscle atrophy. Left upper limb could be slightly lifted but not high, with claw-like immobile fingers. Right upper limb couldn't be fully lifted, with limited movement on bed, unable to turn the wrist and fully move fingers (claw appearance). Lower limbs were paralyzed with no voluntary movement.
2. Sensation function: Sensation was lost beneath 3 cm above the nipple level. There was no perception of urination and bowel movement.
3. Muscular tension: High muscular tension in upper limbs with stiffness. Lower limbs were in bending and contracture status. Right lower limb could be stretched by external force but curled back soon, and left lower limb couldn't be stretched. Lower limb muscular tension increased, and they closed tightly and couldn't be separated with external stimulation.
4. Neural reflex: Bilateral abdominal reflex disappeared.
5. Sweating and urination/bowel movement: Only the area on the top of 3cm above the nipple level of the front chest could sweat, with the rest of the body losing sweating function and poor body temperature adjustment. No perception of bowel movement and urinary incontinence.

Treatment Plan

5 courses of stem cell therapy
Treatment Methods of the First Course: CT guided intraspinal injection, lumbar puncture, and stereotactic brain surgery
Treatment Methods of the Second Course：Stereotactic brain surgery + Lumber puncture + Interventional therapy
Efficacy monitoring plan over 6 to 12 months post-treatment

Outcomes After the First Course ofTreatment (44 days)

1. Motor function: Left upper limb muscle volume increased, can be lifted higher (up to mouth level), wrists more flexible, able to lift 2kg dumbbell 40-50 times. Right upper limb shows muscle tendon contraction, right wrist turns over more flexibly.
2. Muscular tension: Fingers and lower limbs' muscular tension improved, lower limbs can be stretched straight with external help in stationary state.
3. Sensation function: Left pain feeling level lowered to 2cm beneath left costal arch, touching feeling level to anterior superior iliac spine level.
4. Sweating function: Sweating level lowered to the hip.
5. Neural reflex: Bilateral abdominal reflex can be elicited.

Outcomes After the Second Course ofTreatment

1. Upper limb muscle strength improved. Right upper limb can lift and move. Left wrist can turn in and out (previously only inwards), left thumb can bend slightly.
2. Waist muscle strength improved. Can stand over 1 hour with family and brace, and can stand alone holding bedside with left hand (unable before).
3. Sensation level lowered to navel. Cold/hot sensation area moved from above clavicle to xiphoid level in front and to hip at back.
4. Sweating function restored normally.
5. Urination and bowel movement: Can perceive both, and sphincter contraction during bowel movement using abdominal muscles. Can control urination over 1 minute before release, with increased urine and bladder volume. Now urinates 3 times a day instead of anytime.
6. Upper limb and chest muscle volume increased, weight up by 5kg.
7. Partial restoration of penis erection.

Outcomes After the Third Course ofTreatment ( Feb 2008)

1. Can stand stably alone for a long time.
2. Can sit alone at bedside and cross legs independently in bed for over 1 hour.
3. Lower limb muscular tension further improved, better flexibility of lower limbs when lying on back.
4. Obvious reduction in limb spasm.

Outcomes After the Fourth Course ofTreatment ( Jan2009)

1. Waist and lower limb muscle strength significantly improved, can stand with brace for about 10 minutes.
2. Easier urination and bowel movement.

Outcomes After the Fifth Course ofTreatment ( Mar 2010)

1. Upper limb muscle strength greatly improved, can pull a 5kg heavy object.
2. Marked increase in upper limb flexibility, can play and type on the computer.
3. Further reduction in whole body muscular tension, better lower limb flexibility when lying, can stand independently for a longer time.
4. Further reduction in limb spasm.

Symptom	Improvement
Motor Function	Significant improvement in upper limb strength and flexibility; able to lift, move, and perform tasks with both arms. Can stand and sit independently.
Sensation Function	Sensation restored in lower limbs and torso; improved perception of pain, temperature, and tactile stimuli.
Muscular Tension	Reduced muscular tension across limbs, allowing better flexibility and movement; lower limbs show improved stretchability.
Neural Reflex	Bilateral abdominal reflex restored, indicating improved neurological function.
Sweating Function	Sweating function fully restored across the body.
Urination and Bowel Movement	Can perceive and control urination and bowel movements; sphincter function partially restored.
Overall Strength and Mobility	Increased muscle mass and strength, including a 5kg weight gain; better mobility, with the ability to cross legs, sit, and stand with support.

Progress Summary & Future Outlook

Before receiving stem cell treatment, Dong Chuan's physical functions were severely impaired.

After receiving stem cell treatment, his physical condition gradually improved. From 2008 to 2010, he continued to make progress in aspects such as standing ability, sitting posture, limb flexibility, and muscle strength. The spasm was further reduced, and urination and defecation became easier.

Judging from Dong Chuan's treatment journey, stem cell treatment has shown great potential. In the future, with the continuous development and improvement of stem cell technology, breakthroughs are expected to be more.