[Supranuclear, bilateral and distal-symmetric arm paralysis in central cervical spinal cord trauma]

A case of central spinal cord trauma following hyperextension of the cervical spine and with the finding on MRT of lesions at the level of C 2/3 to C 4/5 disks is reported. A supranuclear paralysis of the lower segments with complete paralysis of the hands and a transient atrophy of the intrinsic hand muscles could be demonstrated. In this connection we refer to the original clinical descriptions of O. Foerster, which have almost been forgotten in the mean time.