Pulmonary infection and respiratory faihure are frequently encountered in the early stage of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) and are thought of as the chief causes of death.Unfortunately,there is little knowledge concerned with the pathogenesis of pulmonary infection,respiratory failure and other pathological changes in the lung in the early stage of SCI.Pulmonary embolism,respiratory muscle dysfunction,poor expectoration caused by position,and decreased ability to cough up respiratory secretions were the main cause.