Posterior cord syndrome associated with postoperative seroma: The case to perform a complete neurologic exam

Context: Posterior cord syndrome (PCS) is the least common incomplete spinal cord injury. Findings of posterior cord syndrome include loss of proprioception and vibration, which are not routinely tested with the American Spinal Cord Injury Association's International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam and can easily be missed. Seromas may develop after spinal instrumentation and can cause cord compression. Findings: This case describes a unique presentation of posterior cord syndrome following a large seroma formation after laminectomy. A patient developed ataxia with functional decline following posterior laminectomy. Examination revealed loss of vibration and proprioception in the extremities with preservation of strength. Imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated a large fluid collection at the laminectomy site causing cord compression. The fluid collection was thought to represent a seroma based on clinical presentation, imaging, and laboratory testing. The patient was admitted to inpatient rehabilitation with improvement in function allowing discharge to home. Conclusion/clinical relevance: Seromas are a complication following cervical instrumentation that can cause compression of the adjacent spinal cord resulting in functional decline. The seroma, in this case, led to the loss of vibration and proprioception with resultant ataxia, signs that are not routinely identified on ISNCSCI exam; therefore, this highlights the need to broaden the neurological examination when evaluating a patient with spinal cord injury who has experienced a neurological setback.

Transient Dorsal Column Dysfunction After Extreme Cervical Deformity Correction: Report of 3 Cases

BACKGROUND

Chin-on-chest kyphotic cervical deformity can be debilitating. Surgical deformity correction serves to decompress neural elements and restore lordosis. This can be achieved through multiple osteotomies with instrumentation and fusion, sometimes requiring a staged approach. Such procedures carry a high risk of neurologic injury. Here we present examples of transient neurologic dysfunction not previously reported in the common literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The authors present 3 patients who underwent extreme cervical deformity correction for chin-on-chest deformity. Deformity correction in all cases was obtained through multiple osteotomies with multilevel cervicothoracic posterior instrumentation and arthrodesis. On postoperative examination, all 3 patients developed transient ataxia, dysmetria, and decreased proprioception in all 4 extremities-examination findings consistent with dorsal column dysfunction. All symptoms resolved within 2-3 weeks postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Incomplete spinal cord syndromes such as posterior cord syndrome can be caused by compression or stretching of the ascending dorsal spinal tracts. Considering the large degree of correction obtained, we hypothesize the resulting shortening of the dorsal columns as the pathomechanism. Providers should be aware, and patients should be counseled preoperatively that these symptoms may occur. If these symptoms are present postoperatively, appropriate diligence is warranted with the understanding that these deficits may be transient.

Isolated dorsal column dysfunction due to an intraspinal Osteolipoma - Case report and review of literature

Osteolipoma is a rare variant of the ubiquitous lipoma. Published literature appears in the form of isolated case reports affecting soft tissue structures in the head, neck and rarely affecting the spine. We present a unique instance of an intraspinal osteolipoma in the cervical spine, without evidence of accompanying spinal dysraphism and an atypical clinical presentation of isolated dorsal column dysfunction. We describe the clinical presentation, operative procedure and post-operative outcomes with histopathological findings of this rare entity. A 61-year-old male presented with impaired dorsal column sensation due to an intraspinal extradural ossifying lesion in the cervical spinal canal. The patient underwent excision of the lesion with complete resolution of symptoms. Ossifying lesion in the spinal canal may be frequent finding on radiological imaging but presence of possible adipose tissue in the lesion should raise suspicion of rare clinical scenario of an osteolipoma.