Tetraplegia after coronary artery bypass grafting

The authors present a rare case of a cervical cord dysfunction after uncomplicated coronary artery bypass grafting. The preoperative neurological examination did not reveal any abnormalities; however, the postoperative magnetic resonance image showed significant spinal canal stenosis at the same levels as high signal lesions. Although the pathophysiological basis of the case was impossible to determine retrospectively, it seems probable that placing the neck in an extended position during surgery might have aggravated a preexisting spinal canal stenosis to produce cervical injury.

The authors present a rare case of tetraplegia after coronary artery bypass grafting. It is suggested that neck extension during surgery might have aggravated an occult preexisting cervical spinal canal stenosis to produce cervical injury.