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Brown-Sequard syndrome after manual manipulation of the cervical spine: case report
Clayton Walker1, Eric Zager2, Benjamin Abramoff3
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. clayton.walker@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Introduction:
Spinal cord injury after manual manipulation of the cervical spine is rare and has never been described resulting from a patient performing a manual manipulation on their own cervical spine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first well-documented case of this association.
Case Presentation:
A healthy 29-year-old man developed Brown-Sequard syndrome immediately after performing a manipulation on his own cervical spine. Imaging showed large disc herniations at the levels of C4-C5 and C5-C6 with severe cord compression, so the patient underwent emergent surgical decompression. He was discharged to an acute rehabilitation hospital, where he made a full functional recovery by postoperative day 8.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the benefit of swift surgical intervention followed by intensive inpatient rehab. It also serves as a warning for those who perform self-cervical manipulation.
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