Progressive post-traumatic syringomyelia: a clinical case

Abstract

The objective of the present article is to describe a rare clinical case of progressive post-traumatic cervical syringomyelia after spinal cord injury with fracture of proximal metaepiphysis of the right humerus. The patient had a progressive neurological loss after spinal cord injury.Materials and methods. The patient underwent surgical treatment: decompression and stabilization of spinal column, surgical technique of spinal cord detethering, cyst shunting.Results. In the postoperative period the patient had increased spasticity in the lower extremities, increased weakness in the muscles of the upper extremities, aggravation of orthostatic hypotension, and inability to flex the first and the fifth fingers of the right hand. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine revealed progression of syringomyelia.Conclusion. This case demonstrates differentiation between cervical myelopathy and plexus paresis in a patient with combination spinal injury and reveals the mechanisms underlying late progression of neurological deficit.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Informed consent. The patient gave written informed consent to the publication of his data.