Cervical spinal cord neurapraxia in the setting of Klippel-Feil anomaly: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Gupta, S N; Piatt, J H; Belay, B · Spinal Cord · 2007

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Case report. Temple University Children's Medical Center in USA. To report a patient whose recurrent and transient episodes of quadriplegia mimicked cervical cord neurapraxia. Cervical spine neuroimaging revealed congenital intersegmental fusion of C5 through C7 (consistent with Klippel-Feil anomaly), corresponding abnormal spinal cord signals on T2-weighted images and enhancing focal lesion opposite the C4 vertebral body. A posterior cervical decompression at C4-C5 and lateral mass fixation was performed, and the episodic quadriplegia has not recurred. Understanding of the biomechanics of Klippel-Feil anomaly may facilitate prompt referral for surgical management and avoidance of permanent disability.

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