An unusual presentation of Brown-Sequard syndrome.
We report the case of a man with Brown-Sequard syndrome following a fall in which he sustained fractures of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine. Despite characteristic neurological findings, the diagnosis was delayed due to the absence of history of penetrating spinal trauma and incorrect attribution of unilateral-like weakness and numbness to lumbosacral trauma. A directed history and examination revealed that the patient was stabbed in the back with a penknife while leaving a bus and stepped down onto a paralyzed leg, which collapsed beneath him. The patient was given an antibiotic, underwent a negative peritoneal lavage, and had myelography and nerve conduction velocity confirmatory for Brown-Sequard syndrome. With rehabilitation he became ambulatory with a cane one month after the stabbing.
Herr
R D
RD
Division of Emergency Medicine, McGaw Medical Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
Barrett
J
J
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications*