Cauda equina syndrome caused by a migrated bullet in dural sac.
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a serious neurological condition and the most common cause is a central disc herniation. Migration of a bullet down the spinal canal is uncommon. In this report, the authors present an unusual case of cauda equina syndrome caused by a migrated bullet in dural sac. The patient's cauda equina syndrome was related to possible compression of cauda equina resulting from both bone fragments in L1 level and bullet itself in S2 level. The patient's symptoms and neurological deficits resolved considerably after surgery. In our opinion, it is important to pay attention to diversity of injury when confronted with a gunshot wound. It is essential to perform early and sufficient surgical decompression of the cauda equina to provide a better postoperative neurological recovery.
Jun
Wan
W
Central South University, Department of Spine, Changsha, China.
Yi-Jun
Kang
K
Xiang-Sheng
Zhang
Z
Jing
Wan
W
D000328:Adult; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery