CASE REPORT: A case of spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality (SCIWORA) at the thoracic level is reported. A 14-year-old girl fell backwards from a low chair and hit her back on the floor. It left her bent forward markedly. After taking a nap, she found herself unable to walk. Neurological examination revealed flaccid paraparesis, hypalgesia below the L-1 level, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. MR imaging revealed marked edema in the thoracic spinal cord. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The patient was treated conservatively and showed gradual improvement in her symptoms, finally becoming independently ambulant. The spinal cord edema was less pronounced on the follow-up MR imaging. The clinical course and findings of MR imaging in this case demonstrated mid-thoracic SCIWORA caused by hyperflexion of the thoracic spine.
CASE REPORT: A case of spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality (SCIWORA) at the thoracic level is reported. A 14-year-old girl fell backwards from a low chair and hit her back on the floor. It left her bent forward markedly. After taking a nap, she found herself unable to walk. Neurological examination revealed flaccid paraparesis, hypalgesia below the L-1 level, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. MR imaging revealed marked edema in the thoracic spinal cord. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The patient was treated conservatively and showed gradual improvement in her symptoms, finally becoming independently ambulant. The spinal cord edema was less pronounced on the follow-up MR imaging. The clinical course and findings of MR imaging in this case demonstrated mid-thoracic SCIWORA caused by hyperflexion of the thoracic spine.
Authors: Christopher Kim; Michael Vassilyadi; Jason K Forbes; Nicholas W P Moroz; Alexandra Camacho; Paul J Moroz Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2016-06 Impact factor: 2.089