LIFE THREATENING SPINAL SHOCK AND COMPLETE NEUROLOGICAL RECOVERY FOLLOWING MINOR SPINAL CORD TRAUMA IN A PATIENT WITH PRE-EXISTING CERVICAL CANAL STENOSIS: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Mild to moderate trauma to the spinal cord that is complicated by existing cervical canalstenosis or spondylosis can be a life threatening event. It is against this backgroundthat we present a 41 year old male with cervical spinal stenosis who developed markedquadriparesis and respiratory embarrassment following collision with a colleague. He wasadmitted to the intensive care unit, electively sedated, paralysed and ventilated for a periodof 48 hours. During the initial 24 hours of admission, he received methylprednisolone asper the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Studies (NASCIS) protocol. Forty five hourslater he had regained full neurological and respiratory function, allowing extubationand subsequent discharge from the intensive care unit. While patients with cervicalspinal cord trauma in a setting of cervical canal stenosis or spondylosis can deterioratedramatically, early recognition of this condition and prompt management usingmethylprednisolone, cervical stabilisation and ventilatory support during the initialwindow of opportunity will enable them make a full recovery.