Brown-Sequard syndrome associated with Horner's syndrome following a penetrating drill bit injury to the cervical spine.
We report a 41-year-old male who presented with a partial Brown-Sequard syndrome and Horner's syndrome following a penetrating drill bit injury to his mid cervical spine. As the injury was not a complete hemisection of the spinal cord, the patient presented with ipsilateral motor deficit and hyperesthesia and diminished contralateral fine touch sensation; however, proprioception, vibration and temperature were all initially intact. A cervical CT and MRI scan showed a damaged spinal cord at the C5/6 level with posterior cord compression secondary to haematoma. A decompressive laminectomy and evacuation of the haematoma was performed. Over the following 5 days the patient's right-sided motor deficit improved daily; however, he developed a contralateral deficit to pain and temperature upon wakening from the operation which did not resolve. The right-sided Horner's syndrome also persisted.
Russell
Jeremy H
JH
Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. jezza@bigpond.net.au
Joseph
Samuel J
SJ
Snell
Broughton J
BJ
Jithoo
Rondhir
R
D000328:Adult; D018437:Brown-Sequard Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications*