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Transient attacks of man-in-the-barrel syndrome
1Department of Neurology, St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jnalpert@aol.com
Southern Medical Journal
|December 10, 2009
Summary
A 60-year-old man experienced temporary bilateral arm paralysis due to spinal cord compression. Surgical decompression via discectomy and fusion effectively resolved these episodes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Cord Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord compression can lead to transient neurological deficits.
- Cervical spine pathologies, such as herniated discs, pose a risk for neurological compromise.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old male presented with recurrent, brief episodes of bilateral arm paralysis.
- Neuroimaging revealed significant spinal cord compression at the C3-C4 level.
Findings:
- The spinal cord compression was attributed to a herniated disc and retrolisthesis.
- Surgical intervention (discectomy and fusion) successfully eliminated the episodes of arm paralysis.
Implications:
- Surgical decompression is an effective treatment for paralysis caused by cervical spinal cord compression.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing spinal cord impingement syndromes.
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