Rhythmic Neck Muscle Spasms and Upper Limb Muscle Myoclonic Jerks as an Unusual Initial Presentation of Posttraumatic Cervicothoracic Syringomyelia: A Case Report.

Lin, Hsin-Chin; Tsai, Yu-Lin; Tsai, Wen-Chung · PM R · 2018

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Posttraumatic syringomyelia with an initial presentation of involuntary movement is rare. We describe a 25-year-old patient who sustained complete traumatic spinal cord injury at the thoracic level and presented with rhythmic neck muscle spasms and upper limb muscle myoclonic jerks 1 month after trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed syrinx formation between C3 and T1. Lumbar-peritoneal shunt and decompression were performed. The symptoms completely disappeared after surgery. This report highlights that rhythmic neck muscle spasms and upper limb muscle myoclonic jerks can be the initial and only manifestations of syringomyelia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Medical subject headings