Keraunoparalysis: What a neurosurgeon should know about it?

Keraunoparalysis or transient weakness in limbs following a lightning strike has been well described in literature. Many times, neurosurgeons encounter patients with paraparesis secondary to trauma in the setting of a lightning strike. In these cases, it becomes imperative to find out the true cause...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of craniovertebral junction and spine 2012-01, Vol.3 (1), p.3-6
Main Authors: Kumar, Ashish, Srinivas, Vinjamuri, Sahu, Barada
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ear diseases
Eardrum
Epidemiology
Hemorrhage
Injuries
Keraunoparalysis
Lightning
lightning strike
Mortality
paraparesis
Patients
Physics
Review
transient
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Summary:Keraunoparalysis or transient weakness in limbs following a lightning strike has been well described in literature. Many times, neurosurgeons encounter patients with paraparesis secondary to trauma in the setting of a lightning strike. In these cases, it becomes imperative to find out the true cause behind such weakness in lower limbs because the prognosis differs significantly depending on the etiology. We report a case of keraunoparalysis affecting both lower limbs in a 50-year-old male, where he recovered within 48 hours of the impact. As far as our knowledge is concerned, this is the first case of keraunoparalysis reported from India. We also review the available literature and discuss the physics of lightning, its mechanism, other clinical presentations, and management strategy in the light of our case. These patients must be investigated for other possible causes of paraparesis secondary to trauma and keraunoparalysis should rather be a diagnosis of exclusion, only to be confirmed on imageology. Awareness regarding similar cases will make neurosurgeons notice this entity early, avoiding unnecessary investigation, and hence they will be able to prognosticate in the most efficient manner.
ISSN:0974-8237
0976-9285
DOI:10.4103/0974-8237.110116