Korean J Spine.  2015 Sep;12(3):200-203. 10.14245/kjs.2015.12.3.200.

Delayed Bilateral C5 Palsy following Circumferential Decompression and Fusion in Patient with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

• Jeon HS
• Kim KN

• KMID: 2288351
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.3.200

Abstract

C5 palsy is a common complication after cervical decompressive surgery, which have 0 to 30% complication rate. A 61-year-old female patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy showed bilateral C5 palsy following circumferential decompression and fusion. Unexpectedly, bilateral C5 palsy was noted in different time points on postoperative day 2 and 8, respectively. Steroid injection and physical therapy were performed, and her motor function is recovering. Surgeons should make an effort to prevent possible C5 palsy when performing cervical decompression surgery.

Keyword

Paralysis; Bilateral; Decompression; Cervical

MeSH Terms

Decompression*
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Paralysis*
Spinal Cord Diseases*