Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2019 Jul;62(7):413-415. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2018.00402.

A Case of Quadriplegia after Parotidectomy in a Patient with Asymptomatic Cervical Spondylosis

• Shin MJ
• Sohn HG
• Lee JO
• Song YJ

• KMID: 2453935
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2018.00402

Abstract

Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative disease of the cervical spine affecting the cervical vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. During parotidectomy, the patient is placed in a supine position with the neck extended and head rotated to the contralateral side. This position could exacerbate pre-existing cervical spondylosis and cause cervical myelopathy. We present a case of postoperative quadriplegia secondary to cervical myelopathy after parotidectomy. A 68-year-old man without symptoms of cervical spondylosis underwent partial parotidectomy for a right parotid mass and subsequently developed quadriplegia 8 hours postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe cervical myelopathy. Emergency laminoplasty was performed, and steroid therapy was initiated. He showed near-complete recovery six months later.

Keyword

Cervical myelopathy; Cervical spondylosis; Head and neck surgery; Parotidectomy; Quadriplegia

MeSH Terms

Aged
Emergencies
Head
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Laminoplasty
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neck
Quadriplegia*
Spinal Cord Diseases
Spine
Spondylosis*
Supine Position