No abstract available.
Arteries* ; Humans ; Quadriplegia*

Thyrotoxicosis is a well-recognized cause of myopathy, but rarely presents as acute flaccid quadriparesis. We report a 25-year-old female with underlying uncontrolled Graves’ disease who presented with thyroid storm and acute flaccid quadriparesis due to thyrotoxic myopathy. She showed marked clinical improvement with subsequent normalization of her thyroid parameters. Besides highlighting this rare association, this report underscores the importance of considering thyrotoxic myopathy in the evaluation of patients with acute flaccid quadriparesis.
Thyroid Crisis ; Quadriplegia

The authors experienced a case of juvenile type cervical arteriovenous malformation. It was apoplectic in onset and represented spastic quadriparesis, sensory impairment and voiding difficulty. The authors treated with total excision of voluminous malformed vessels with good results.
Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Muscle Spasticity ; Quadriplegia

Posterior stabilization of unstable cervical spine injury using metal plate and screw has been commonly used in Europe but very rarely in Korea where it has been usually achieved with wires supplemented by bone graft. We have experienced 11 patients of unstable lower cervical spine injuries which were stabilized with posterior cervical plate without bone graft. One patient was total quadriplegia and two patients showed minor motor and sensory changes and the others were neurologically intact. Operations were performed within 10 days after trauma(average 4.9 days) except 2 cases of late instability. Most of the patients could ambulate the day after operation with a Philadelphia collar which was kept for 3 months. We achieved good postoperative alignment of injured cervical spine and tolerable neck motion limitation and we experienced no surgical complication. So we suggest that posterior cervical plate fixation technique is a good method of cervical stabilization for lower cervical spine injury, especially when posterior compartment injury is predominant.
Europe ; Humans ; Korea ; Neck ; Quadriplegia ; Spine ; Transplants

The authors present the one case of a 22-year-old man admitted with intermittent quadriparesis and respiratory difficulty. On investigation, atlantoaxial instability and upper cervical cord compression due to abnormal soft tissue were revealed. We have performed transoral decompression and biopsy, and then posterior transarticular facet screw fixation with interspinous wiring and fusion. We could obtain immediate and long-term postoperative stability with Philadelphia collar only. The pathologic examination reveald connective soft tissue hypertrophy due to chronic mechanical irritation.
Biopsy ; Decompression* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Quadriplegia ; Young Adult

Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) is a very uncommon disease with diverse clinical presentations. Clinically, it is difficult to diagnose this disease, especially in early stage. We report an atypical case of CEA showing only progressive quadriparesis without any other symptoms or signs of CEA. From this experience, CEA must be considered when progressive quadriparesis without any specific cause is developed in immuno-compromised patients and diabetic patients with polyneuropathies.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidural Abscess ; Humans ; Polyneuropathies ; Quadriplegia

Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) is a very uncommon disease with diverse clinical presentations. Clinically, it is difficult to diagnose this disease, especially in early stage. We report an atypical case of CEA showing only progressive quadriparesis without any other symptoms or signs of CEA. From this experience, CEA must be considered when progressive quadriparesis without any specific cause is developed in immuno-compromised patients and diabetic patients with polyneuropathies.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidural Abscess ; Humans ; Polyneuropathies ; Quadriplegia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the standards of handicapped driver's ability test in Korea and available driving aids in cervical cord injured persons. METHOD: Forty-two cervical cord injured persons (C5~C8) were evaluated with BTE (Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment) work simulator. The isotonic turning torque was measured during clockwise and counter-clockwise turning. And isometric turning torque was measured at 12 directions. RESULTS: By the isotonic measurement, the turning torque increased in the lower level of injury. In the C6 tetraplegics, the counter-clockwise turning torque was significantly higher than clockwise. Among 25 persons with C5 or C6 tetraplegia, only 2 with C6 tetraplegia could operate the power steering with the lowest wheel turning torque (3.0 Nm). Only three persons (1 person with C7 tetraplegia, 2 persons with C8 tetraplegia) could pass the handicapped driver's ability test of Korea (9.4 Nm). By the isometric measurement, turning torque was lowest at left upper quadrant (10 to 12 o'clock direction) in clockwise rotation. CONCLUSION: Among the 42 cervical cord injured persons, only 3 persons with C7 and C8 tetraplegia could pass the handicapped driver's ability test of Korea. And among 25 C5 and C6 tetraplegia, only 2 persons with C6 tetraplegia could operate the power steering. It seems to be essential to modify the standards of handicapped drivers ability test and to evolve the driving aids for the C5 and C6 tetraplegics in Korea.
Disabled Persons ; Humans ; Korea ; Quadriplegia ; Torque*

OBJECTIVES: To provide proper standards of handicapped driver's ability test in Korea and evolve new driving aids. METHOD: Thirty-six cervical cord injured persons (C5-C7) were evaluated with Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment work simulator to which a straight handle was attached. The isotonic torque on a straight handle was measured during forward and backward movement and isometric torque was measured at neutral position. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare torque among three groups (C5-C7). RESULTS: The forward and backward torque of C7 tetraplegics was significantly higher than that of C6 tetraplegics (p<0.05). All of 12 persons with C5 tetraplegia could not pass the test. Only 1 out of 12 persons with C6 tetraplegia and all of 12 persons with C7 tetraplegia could pass the test. But 9 out of 12 persons with C5 tetraplegia and all of 12 persons with C6 tetraplegia could operate brake and accelerator with servo-hand control. CONCLUSION: All of the C5 tetraplegics and 92% of the C6 tetraplegics could not pass the handicapped driver's ability test of Korea. Therefore it is necessary to evolve driving aids for the C5 and C6 tetrapleigics and to modify this test.
Disabled Persons ; Hand* ; Humans ; Korea ; Quadriplegia ; Torque

Dens fractures are a common traumatic cervical spine injury. Among them, a type III fracture is the second common fracture. Although there are several treatment options, it has been accepted that type III fracture is usually healed by non-surgical method. After adequate reduction with traction, subsequent external immobilization has been associated with successful union rates. However, in the review of literatures, there are some cases with neurological deterioration after application of skull traction. So, the authors report a case of type III dens fracture with initially unrecognized ligamentous injury in which vertical dissociation and quadriplegia occurred after only five-pound Gardner-Well tongs traction. And also, the authors raise awareness of this potentially injury.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Immobilization ; Ligaments* ; Quadriplegia ; Skull ; Spine ; Traction*