title: Acute central cervical spinal cord syndrome caused by missile injury: case report and brief review of the syndrome.
abstract: The authors present the second reported case of acute central cervical spinal cord syndrome caused by a missile injury. A low caliber, low velocity bullet penetrated the spinal cord posteroanteriorly at C-2, C-3 in the midline, producing quadriplegia and respiratory failure. Within 3 months the patient was ambulatory. Because such a good outcome is possible, patients with similar injuries should be supported vigorously. Injury to the central cervical spinal cord seems to produce a constant syndrome irrespective of the specific nature of the primary injury. The literature on this syndrome is briefly reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications*