Panchkula: 40 years old female suffering from gross spinal
cord compression was operated successfully by Dr Gauri Joshi Senior Neurosurgeon
at Alchemist Hospital.
Patient Sameena(name changed) from Ponta Sahib, was brought
to Alchemist hospital with inability to move limbs. She had a history of fall,
four months ago. She had dislocation of C6-C7 vertebrae for which she was managed
locally with bed rest. Three months later, as she started her routine work, she
developed weakness of all four limbs. She could not hold things and became bed
ridden due to inability to walk.
Dr Gauri Joshi told that when the patient came to Alchemist,
she had minimal movements in the lower limbs and no grip in both the hands. She
had jerky movements of limbs, suggesting gross spinal cord compression. Her
cervical spine x-rays, CT scan and MRI showed C6 and C7 dislocation. The C7
vertebra had totally entered the spinal canal. MRI of the cervical spine showed
gross compression of the cord at that level.
She required surgery to correct the deformity. But the
problem was that the injury was four months old and it was unlikely for the
vertebra to reposition easily.
Dr Joshi further told that she was operated first from
posterior aspect and later from anterior aspect, both in the same sitting. From
the posterior aspect, the vertebrae were totally stuck and as the injury was
old, repositioning was partially tried. Later she was operated from the front
and repositioning could be achieved quite successfully. C7 vertebra was drilled
out and the compressed spinal cord was freed followed by fixation.
Post operatively the patient improved significantly. The
spinal column was in alignment. She returned to her normal routine in a happy
phase added Dr Joshi.
Cervical spine injury is one of the most dangerous injuries
to happen. If it is ignored, it may cause spinal cord compression. This may
cause limbs paralysis and breathing difficulty. Managing a cervical spine
injury is an emergency and requires an excellent set up and proficiency. The
spine needs to be made stable, first by positioning and later by fixation,
explained Dr.Joshi,
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