Acute quadriplegia following closed traction reduction of a cervical facet dislocation in the setting of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: case report.
METHODS
A case report of acute quadriplegia resulting from closed traction reduction of traumatic bilateral cervical facet dislocation in a 54-year-old male with concomitant ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).


OBJECTIVE
To report an unusual presentation of a spinal cord injury, examine the approach to reversal of the injury, and review the treatment and management controversies of acute cervical facet dislocations in specific patient subgroups.


BACKGROUND
The treatment of acute cervical facet dislocations is an area of ongoing controversy, especially regarding the question of the necessity of advanced imaging studies before closed traction reduction of the dislocated cervical spine. The safety of an immediate closed, traction reduction of the cervical spine in awake, alert, cooperative, and appropriately select patients has been reported in several studies. To date, there have been no permanent neurologic deficits resulting from awake, closed reduction reported in the literature. A case of temporary, acute quadriplegia with complete neurologic recovery following successful closed traction reduction of a bilateral cervical facet dislocation in the setting of OPLL is presented.


METHODS
The clinical neurologic examination, radiographic, and advanced imaging studies before and after closed, traction reduction of a cervical facet dislocation are evaluated and discussed. A review of the literature regarding the treatment of acute cervical facet dislocations is presented.


RESULTS
Radiographs showed approximately 50% subluxation of the fifth on the sixth cervical vertebrae, along with computerized tomography revealing extensive discontinuous OPLL. The cervical facet dislocation was successfully reduced with an awake, closed traction reduction, before magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. The patient subsequently had acute quadriplegia develop, with the ensuing MRI study illustrating severe spinal stenosis at the C5, C6 level as a result of OPLL or a large extruded disc herniation. Following an immediate anterior decompression and a posterior stabilization procedure, the patient regained full motor and sensory function.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report highlights the advantages and shows some safety concerns regarding immediate, closed traction reduction of cervical facet dislocation with real-time neural monitoring in an awake, alert, oriented, and appropriately select patient before MRI studies in the setting of preexisting central stenosis from OPLL.
Wimberley
David W
DW
Fondren Orthopedic Group, Texas Orthopedic Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Vaccaro
Alexander R
AR
Goyal
Nitin
N
Harrop
James S
JS
Anderson
D Greg
DG
Albert
Todd J
TJ
Hilibrand
Alan S
AS
D000208:Acute Disease; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000601:surgery