Traumatic Ventral Cervical Spinal Cord Herniation: A Case Report

Spinal cord herniation (SCH) is an uncommon traumatic event that should be considered in patients with vertebral fractures who develop an unusual constellation of autonomic and motor deficits. Herein, we describe a case of rapidly deteriorating neurological function following cervical spine fracture...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2019-02, Vol.11 (2), p.e4070
Main Authors: Khattar, Nicolas K, Donovan, Andrew M, Oxford, Brent G, Adams, Shawn W C, Altstadt, Thomas J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case reports
Defects
Fractures
Medical imaging
Neurosurgery
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Orthopedics
Ostomy
Spinal cord
Trauma
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Summary:Spinal cord herniation (SCH) is an uncommon traumatic event that should be considered in patients with vertebral fractures who develop an unusual constellation of autonomic and motor deficits. Herein, we describe a case of rapidly deteriorating neurological function following cervical spine fracture including sequelae such as bilateral lower-extremity weakness, loss of upper extremity motor function, and priapism. Decompression of the spinal cord allowed for the identification of the unusual herniation of the spinal cord and prevention of any further worsening of the neurological injury. Hyperflexion of the cervical spine upon traumatic impact provided the impetus for vertebral retropulsion and subsequent incarceration of the spinal cord. This phenomenon should be considered in the setting of acute traumatic injury to the cervical spinal cord. Surgical intervention is likely to allow the preservation of the remaining neurological function.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.4070