title: Functional recovery after near complete traumatic deficit of the cervical cord lasting more than 24 h.
abstract: Two young men presented with a complete cervical cord deficit associated with bilateral C4-C5 dislocation and 11 mm encroachment (sagittal narrowing) of the spinal canal in one case and near complete cervical cord deficit due to a crush fracture of the C7 vertebral body with 9 mm axial compression and 50% antero-posterior encroachment of the canal in the other case. There was no improvement within the first 24 h. Both patients left the hospital walking after open surgical realignment and complete cord decompression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ljunggren
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: al Refai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fodstad
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hutchings
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery