Introduction: The authors present a case of a 55-year-old male with T10 complete paraplegia diagnosed with Charcot arthropathy of the spine (CAS).
Case presentation: He presented to an outside institution with vomiting and productive cough with subsequent computed tomography (CT) and MRI imaging revealing L5 osteomyelitis and a paraspinal abscess. Given the patient's inability to remain in good posture in his wheelchair he underwent a multilevel vertebrectomy and thoracolumbar fusion. Due to multiple co-morbidities, surgical recovery was complex, ultimately requiring revision circumferential fixation.
Discussion: CAS is an uncommon, long-term complication of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Surgical management is often complex and associated with significant complications. Currently, a consensus on CAS prevention, specific surgical fixation techniques and post-surgical nursing care management is lacking. In this case report we provide our experience in the management of a complex case of CAS to aid in decision making for future neurosurgeons who encounter this sequela of traumatic SCI.
Keywords: Diseases of the nervous system; Pathogenesis; Spinal cord diseases.
© International Spinal Cord Society 2019.