Brown-Sequard syndrome is an incomplete spinal cord lesion characterized by ipsilateral loss of motor function and contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensitivity, reflecting a hemi-compression or hemi-section of the spinal cord. Cervical disc herniation is an exceptional cause of this syndrome. ⋯ A prompt diagnosis, followed by spinal cord decompression should be warranted. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is a useful tool in preservation of neurologic function in these cases.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Marcoleta 352, Santiago, Chile. jurrutia@med.puc.cl
Eur Spine J. 2012 Jun 1;21 Suppl 4:S418-21.
IntroductionBrown-Sequard syndrome is an incomplete spinal cord lesion characterized by ipsilateral loss of motor function and contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensitivity, reflecting a hemi-compression or hemi-section of the spinal cord. Cervical disc herniation is an exceptional cause of this syndrome.Material And MethodsWe report a case of cervical disc herniation causing Brown-Sequard syndrome in a patient with an unusually rapid neurological deterioration associated to cervical extension, which was documented by neuromonitoring.ConclusionA prompt diagnosis, followed by spinal cord decompression should be warranted. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is a useful tool in preservation of neurologic function in these cases.