Posttraumatic locked-in syndrome with an unusual three day delay in the appearance

Coll Antropol. 2004 Dec;28(2):923-6.

Abstract

We report a rare case of posttraumatic locked-in syndrome (LIS) that appeared after an unusual three day delay. LIS was diagnosed according to clinical status and diagnostic methods (roentgenograms, computerized tomography, transcranial Doppler, electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging). A fourteen-year-old girl had a cervical spine injury during floor exercises that provoked LIS 72 hours after trauma. A rapid diagnosis of basilar thrombosis followed by antioedema and continuous anticoagulant therapy significantly improved the neurological status. In conclusion, posttraumatic locked-in syndrome can have sometimes a prolonged three-day delay in the clinical appearance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Basilar Artery / pathology*
  • Brain Edema / etiology
  • Female
  • Gymnastics / injuries
  • Humans
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Neck Injuries / complications*
  • Pons / injuries*
  • Spinal Injuries / complications*
  • Syndrome
  • Thrombosis / complications*
  • Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants