title: Reverse Lhermitte's phenomenon provoked by cervical cord compression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lhermitte's phenomenon (LP) is a rare manifestation, which is defined when a sudden electric-shock sensation transmitted down the spine induced by neck flexion; however, the reverse LP is defined when symptoms are induced by neck extension, not flexion. Because reports of LP are limited in the Taiwan literature, we report this case.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 74-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with sudden onset of right neck pain when extending the neck. The pain mimicked an electric shock and radiated to the left shoulder. Imaging showed spondylosis and spondylolisthesis without any spinal canal stenosis. A neck collar was recommended, and the strange phenomenon did not recur over the following year. However, long-term follow-up and aggressive workup are recommended to rule in or rule out the possibility of multiple sclerosis in the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although LP represents spinal demyelination disorders, reverse LP is induced by extrinsic compression of the cervical cord, and neck collar immobilization rather than intravenous or oral medication is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Taipei Medical University & Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jiann-Jy
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kuo-Luon
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kung
authors.forename: Chi-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Shian
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Dem-Lion
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yao-Mao
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012677:Sensation; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed