An unusual presentation of whiplash injury: long thoracic and spinal accessory nerve injury.
Whiplash injuries from motor vehicle accidents are very common. The usual presentation and course of this condition normally results in resolution of symptoms within a few weeks. Brachial plexus traction injuries without any bone or joint lesion of the cervical spine have been reported before. We report a case where a gentleman was involved in a rear end vehicle collision, sustained a whiplash injury and was later found to have a long thoracic nerve palsy and spinal accessory nerve palsy. Although isolated injuries of both nerves following a whiplash injury have been reported, combined injury of the two nerves following a whiplash injury is very uncommon and is being reported for the first time.
Omar
N
N
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Road, Blackburn, BB2 3LR, UK.
Alvi
F
F
Srinivasan
M S
MS
D000055:Accessory Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020436:Accessory Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D061227:Accessory Nerve Injuries; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000293:injuries / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012540:Scapula / Q000473:pathology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology