[Diagnosis of SCIWORA associated with Brown Séquard syndrome in an adolescent]

Acta Ortop Mex. 2021 Nov-Dec;35(6):557-559.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

SCIWORA (Spinal Cord Injury without Radiologic Abnormality) is a rare condition that mainly affects pediatric patients; We present the case of a teenage male patient diagnosed with SCIWORA/Brown Séquard Syndrome. In admission, he has multiple bruises on his neck and right hemibody and immediately he refers paraesthesia in all four limbs and spastic hemiparesis with right predominance, as well as inability to stand up and urinary continence. Treatment based on NASCIS III study is initiated and after the imaging tests, a diagnosis has already been made. We present the most current definitions of SCIWORA and the recommendations to make its diagnosis, as well as its relationship and coexistence with spinal syndromes.

El término SCIWORA (Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiologic Abnormality) describe una patología poco frecuente que afecta principalmente a pacientes pediátricos. Presentamos el caso de un paciente adolescente diagnosticado con SCIWORA/síndrome de Brown Séquard, el cual presenta múltiples contusiones en cuello y hemicuerpo derecho, de manera inmediata refiere parestesias en las cuatro extremidades y hemiparesia espástica con predominio derecho, incapacidad a la bipedestación y continencia urinaria. Se inicia tratamiento basado en el estudio NASCIS III y posterior a la pruebas de imagen se realizó diagnóstico ya comentado. Exponemos las definiciones más actuales de SCIWORA y las recomendaciones para realizar su diagnóstico así como su relación y coexistencia con síndromes medulares.

Keywords: Brown Séquard syndrome; SCIWORA; magnetic resonance; neurological deficit; spinal syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brown-Sequard Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Brown-Sequard Syndrome* / etiology
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Spinal Cord Injuries* / diagnosis