Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormality Following Minor Trauma in Adult

ABSTRACT

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality often occurs at cervical spine after major trauma predominantly in the skeletally immature pediatric population. We report an adult patient with this diagnosis involving the thoracic spine after minor trauma. A 44-year-old woman was stretched on the back of her husband, which left her bent backward markedly. Neurological examination at admission revealed flaccid paraparesis and sensory disturbance below the T-10 level. The patient was treated conservatively. But she showed neurological deterioration. The relevant literature is reviewed.