Mubashir Alavi Jusabani1, Sakina Mehboob Rashid2, Honest Herman Massawe1,2,3,4,5, William Patrick Howlett3, Marieke Cornelia Johanna Dekker4,5. 1. 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. 2. 2Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. 3. 3Department of Internal Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. 4. 4Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. 5. 5Department of Neurology, Radboudumc Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Down Syndrome (DS)-also referred to as Trisomy 21-is associated with multiple deformities affecting various systems of the body. Joint laxity resulting in unstable atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joints-with an increased susceptibility to fatal cord injuries-is a recognized phenomenon in patients with DS. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on a 30-year-old man with DS from Tanzania with no previous neck complaints, who presented with a 5-week progressive history of paraparesis that evolved into a quadriparesis. During his initial presentation, the patient reported that 5 months ago he had been involved in a headlock during a playground encounter. DISCUSSION: Primary prevention of the traumatic spinal cord injuries is an important public health measure and a heightened emphasis should be placed to prevent such injuries in high risk populations-including DS patients.
INTRODUCTION: Down Syndrome (DS)-also referred to as Trisomy 21-is associated with multiple deformities affecting various systems of the body. Joint laxity resulting in unstable atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joints-with an increased susceptibility to fatal cord injuries-is a recognized phenomenon in patients with DS. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on a 30-year-old man with DS from Tanzania with no previous neck complaints, who presented with a 5-week progressive history of paraparesis that evolved into a quadriparesis. During his initial presentation, the patient reported that 5 months ago he had been involved in a headlock during a playground encounter. DISCUSSION: Primary prevention of the traumatic spinal cord injuries is an important public health measure and a heightened emphasis should be placed to prevent such injuries in high risk populations-including DS patients.
Authors: Steven C Kirshblum; William Waring; Fin Biering-Sorensen; Stephen P Burns; Mark Johansen; Mary Schmidt-Read; William Donovan; Daniel Graves; Amit Jha; Linda Jones; M J Mulcahey; Andrei Krassioukov Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: John W Stanifer; Uptal D Patel; Francis Karia; Nathan Thielman; Venance Maro; Dionis Shimbi; Humphrey Kilaweh; Matayo Lazaro; Oliver Matemu; Justin Omolo; David Boyd Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-04-07 Impact factor: 3.240