SPINAL CORD ISCHEMIA FROM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC SHOCK -A Rare Case Presentation and Review of Literature

Dr Subhashis Banerjee

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

SPINAL CORD ISCHEMIA FROM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC SHOCK -A Rare Case Presentation and Review of Literature

Dr Subhashis Banerjee

Abstract :

BACKGROUND Acute stroke after electrocution is an uncommon presentation and that too acute spinal stroke has been rarely reported till date. A rare case of quadriplegia due to acute spinal is ischemia following high voltage electrocution. METHOD Presenting a case of 21 years, male with quadriplegia following high voltage electric shock. Clinically the patient presented with features of anterior spinal artery stroke syndrome below C5 level, post column sensations were intact. MRI of cervical spine revealed features of acute spinal cord ischemia. CT angiography revealed thrombosis of left verteal artery. Radiological and haematological investigations ruled out verteal injury and other causes of spinal stroke. Patient was treated with antiplatelet and intravenous steroid and physiotherapy. RESULT Patient gained gradual and complete recovery at 4 months. CONCLUSION Though spinal cord haemorrhage due flexion distraction injury of the cord is always a differential diagnosis but spinal cord ischemia should be ruled out and we suggest MR angiogram to be done along with MRI spine in patient with such history and clinical presentation and thrombolysis to be done if detected.