Non-Traumatic Cervical Disc Herniation Presented as Sudden Paralysis of the Limbs: Two Case Reports

Abstract

We report two uncommon cases of non-traumatic, acute cervical disc herniation presented with sudden paralysis of the limbs. First, a 61-year-old man presented with sudden quadriplegia while resting on the bed 2 hr ago. He had motor weakness of grade 3 in the upper arms and grade 0 in the lower legs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine showed severe spinal cord compression caused by huge soft central disc herniation at the C6-7 level. After surgery, the paralysis of the upper arms improved, but the paralysis of the lower legs and sphincter functions did not improve. Second, a 65-year-old woman presented with acute right hemiparesis just after waking up in the morning 3 hr ago. She had motor weakness of grade 3 of the right upper arm and grade 2 of the right lower leg. MRI of the cervical spine showed severe cord compression by the right-sided, superiorly migrated soft disc herniation at the C6-7 level. After surgery, she recovered completely and could walk independently.