J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2014 May;55(5):277-279. 10.3340/jkns.2014.55.5.277.

Acute Onset of Intracerebral Hemorrhage due to Autonomic Dysreflexia

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurology, Near East University Faculty of Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus. ambereker@yahoo.com
  • 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Near East University Faculty of Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Abstract

Autonomic dysreflexia is a clinical emergency syndrome of uncontrolled sympathetic output that can occur in patients who have a history of spinal cord injury. Despite its frequency in spinal cord injury patients, central nervous system complications are very rare. We report a man with traumatic high level incomplete spinal cord injury who suffered hypertensive right thalamic hemorrhage secondary to an episode of autonomic dysreflexia. Prompt recognition and removal of the triggering factor, the suprapubic catheter obstruction which led to hypertensive attack, the patient had a favorable functional outcome after the resorption of the hematoma and effective rehabilitation programme.

Keyword

Spinal cord injury; Intracerebral hemorrhage; Autonomic dysreflexia; Urinary tract obstruction

MeSH Terms

Autonomic Dysreflexia*
Catheter Obstruction
Central Nervous System
Cerebral Hemorrhage*
Emergencies
Hematoma
Hemorrhage
Humans
Rehabilitation
Spinal Cord Injuries

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Cervical MRI demonstrates the atrophy of the spinal cord below the level of the trauma.

  • Fig. 2 Cranial CT scan demonstrates hemorrhage in the right thalamic nucleus and also in the third, fourth and lateral ventricles.


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