Pyogenic Upper Cervical Spinal Infection as a Cause of Sudden-onset Quadriplegia —Case Report—

Youichi ITOYAMA; Akinobu FUKUMURA; Yoshihiro ITOH; Ei-ichirou URASAKI; Kazunari KOGA; Yukitaka USHIO

doi:10.2176/nmc.28.594

Pyogenic Upper Cervical Spinal Infection as a Cause of Sudden-onset Quadriplegia

—Case Report—

Youichi ITOYAMA, Akinobu FUKUMURA, Yoshihiro ITOH, Ei-ichirou URASAKI, Kazunari KOGA, Yukitaka USHIO

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Keywords: pyogenic spinal infection, quadriplegia, hypocalcemia, vitamin D deficiency, computed tomography

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1988 Volume 28 Issue 6 Pages 594-597

DOI https://doi.org/10.2176/nmc.28.594

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Abstract

Nontuberculous pyogenic spinal infection (vertebral osteomyelitis) often favors the thoracic and lumbar regions but seldom involves the cervical levels. Recently we encountered a case of upper cervical spinal infection that produced sudden onset of quadriplegia. This patient was hypocalcemic due to vitamin D deficiency (osteomalacia), which may have predisposed him to the spinal infection. Appropriate treatment resulted in excellent recovery.

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