title: Unusual spinal cord injury by a speargun.
abstract: Penetrating injury of the upper cervical spinal cord is usually caused by missiles. An unusual case of injury to the upper cervical spinal cord by a speargun is reported. Surgical treatment was uneventful, and the patient made good neurological progress within 2 days after the operation. On the fifth day he became confused and had a temperature of 40 degrees C. A diagnosis of Branhamella catarhalis meningitis was made. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate despite parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and he died 15 days after the injury.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology; D019838:Neck Injuries; D009346:Neisseriaceae; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000601:surgery*