Unusual spinal cord injury by a speargun

Penetrating injury of the upper cervical spinal cord is usually caused by missiles. An unusual case of injury to the upper cervical spinal cord by a speargun is reported. Surgical treatment was uneventful, and the patient made good neurological progress within 2 days after the operation. On the fifth day he became confused and had a temperature of 40 degrees C. A diagnosis of Branhamella catarhalis meningitis was made. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate despite parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and he died 15 days after the injury.