Acute Quadriplegia after Lumbar Puncture in a Patient with Misdiagnosed Cervical Myelopathy
10.13004/kjnt.2020.16.e39
- Author:
Juwhan LEE
1
;
Sung Hwa PAENG
;
Yong Woo SHIM
;
Won Hee LEE
;
Sung Tae KIM
;
Se Young PYO
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Inje Paik University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje Paik University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Korean Journal of Neurotrauma
2020;16(2):299-304
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The incidence of quadriplegia following drainage of cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture (LP) below a spinal occupying lesion is rare. We report a case of acute quadriplegia following LP for presumed normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in a 66-year-old man. Acute cervical myelopathy with a herniated cervical disc was subsequently found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the C5–6 level. After posterior decompression and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at the C5–6 level with a cervical plate, the patient's motor and sensory functions recovered. Clinicians should be aware that symptoms of NPH and cervical myelopathy may overlap, and that serious complications may occur when performing LP below a spinal lesion. As a safety measure, cervical spine MRI should be performed before LP.
