Neurological Deterioration Immediately After Lumbar Surgery: Anesthetic Consideration for Co-existing Cervical Lesion: A Case Report
10.13004/kjnt.2022.18.e12
- Author:
Kyung Hoon KIM
1
;
Pius KIM
;
Seok Won KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Korean Journal of Neurotrauma
2022;18(1):132-136
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Most spine surgeons and anesthesiologists believe that the risk of spinal cord injury (SCI) during intubation is mainly due to mechanical compression of the spinal cord due to cervical spine movement in cases of undiagnosed but severe cervical lesions. With this reasoning, difficult intubation, which is more frequently encountered in patients with preexisting cervical diseases, is likely to result in SCI. Several reports have described SCI after non-cervical surgery in patients previously diagnosed with cervical myelopathy and a chronically compressed cervical cord; however, to date, there is less acknowledgement of SCI in patients with undiagnosed cervical myelopathy. Here, we report a painful experience of neurological deterioration that developed immediately after elective lumbar decompressive surgery in a 76-year-old man. The possible mechanism behind these unexpected complications is discussed in a review of the literature.
