| Issue |
BioMedicine
Volume 8, Number 3, September 2018
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 20 | |
| Number of page(s) | 3 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/bmdcn/2018080320 | |
| Published online | 24 August 2018 | |
Case report
Case report of C5 palsy after C3-C6 posterior decompression and instrumented fusion in a patient undergoing inpatient rehabilitation
Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore
529889
* Corresponding author. Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889. E-mail address: Tze_chao_wee@cgh.com.sg (T.-C. Wee).
Received:
25
April
2018
Accepted:
3
May
2018
We report on a patient who had neurological deterioration attributed to C5 palsy post C3-C6 posterior decompression and instrumented fusion. A 60-year old man was admitted after a fall from an electric scooter. MRI of the cervical spine confirmed severe cervical spondylosis causing cord compression at C4/5 with associated cord oedema. He underwent posterior cervical decompressive surgery, and he remained neurologically stable post operatively. However, he subsequently developed acute left upper limb weakness limited to the C5 myotome 1 week after surgery whilst undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. A repeat MRI of the cervical spine did not reveal any new changes that may explain his symptoms. He was started on intravenous dexamethasone. C5 palsy after cervical decompressive surgery is not uncommon. There is no specific evidence-based treatment and it carries a generally good prognosis. The aim of this case report is to highlight this complication and raise awareness amongst physicians.
Key words: C5 palsy / Cervical spine / Cervical decompression
© Author(s) 2018. This article is published with open access by China Medical University
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