Accidental Hanging Leading to Spinal Cord Injury without Radiological Abnormality - A Case Report from Rural India

Abstract

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) is rare in adults. It is of considerable importance owing to the potential problem of management inherent in the diagnosis. We report a rare case of young female who developed quadriplegia as an outcome of accidental hanging. Her initial radiological investigation were normal but subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed intramedullary signal changes from C2 vertebral body level extending up to C3 level without vertebral or ligamental involvement. The patient was recuperated near completely with traditionalist treatment measures including bed rest and methylprednisolone. Routine radiographs and sometimes even computerized tomography can miss this injury and SCIWORA ought to be suspected in these instances of spinal damage giving neurological deficit.