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Progressive spasticity in an infant

J P Phillips1, B P Garg

  • 1Department of Neurology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis 46202, USA.

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
|September 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

A pediatric cervical spine aneurysm caused progressive spasticity in an infant, mimicking cerebral palsy. Successful embolization resolved the lesion, highlighting the importance of considering vascular causes for infant neurological deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Vascular Neurology

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy is a common cause of spasticity in infants.
  • Infantile spasticity evaluation typically focuses on brain abnormalities.

Observation:

  • A 15-month-old girl presented with progressive spasticity and developmental delay, initially suspected as cerebral palsy.
  • Neurological examination revealed severe asymmetric spasticity.
  • Brain MRI was normal, but cervical spine MRI showed an enhancing intramedullary lesion.

Findings:

  • Surgical exploration identified a cervical intramedullary aneurysm.
  • The aneurysm was successfully treated with embolization.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare vascular lesions, such as spinal cord aneurysms, in the differential diagnosis of infantile spasticity.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment of such lesions can prevent irreversible neurological damage.
  • Further research into the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for pediatric spinal cord vascular malformations is warranted.

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