Subacute post-traumatic ascending myelopathy (SPAM): two cases of SPAM following surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.
To report two cases of traumatic paraplegia who developed Sub-acute Post-Traumatic Ascending Myelopathy (SPAM) following surgical decompression.We hereby report two cases (both 35yr old male) with traumatic paraplegia that developed ascending weakness at 3rd and 5th Post-Op day respectively following surgical decompression. Both the patients experienced remarkable improvement in Neurology after treatment with steroids. The authors conclude by emphasizing on minimum cord handling during surgical decompression of the spinal cord to avoid this potentially life threatening complication.
Kamran
K
Farooque
Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India.
Pankaj
P
Kandwal
Ankit
A
Gupta
D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome