Background. Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a time bomb cervical disease characterized as a bony occupation in the narrowed canal which frequently presenting no symptoms. Traumatic central cord syndrome (TCCS) is the most frequent incomplete neck injury. The symptoms include a disproportionately more significant motor deficit of upper limbs than lower limbs with varying degrees of sensory loss below the level of the lesion and sacral sparing with or without bladder involvement. TCCS is often associated with hyperextension injury of the cervical spine and might occur after minor trauma without bony injury in patients with preexisting pathology of cervical spondylosis (CS) or canal stenosis. This article reported a case of TCCS with OPPL and congenital narrowing of canal stenosis.
Method. We reported a case of a man 55 years old with spinal cord injury central cord syndrome type with disproportionate paresis, congenital cervical canal stenosis, ossifications of the posterior longitudinal ligament. We closed the comminuted fracture of the left clavicle. The patient underwent decompression surgery by laminoplasty on C3-C6 and open reduction with plate screw fixation on the left clavicle.
Results. One week post-operation, the patient felt improvement on upper and lower motor function with increased sensitivity.
Conclusion. Despite the controversies between surgery and conservative management regarding the treatment of cervical spine injuries with congenital canal stenosis and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, we found the decompression and laminoplasty giving positive results to patients.
Key words: traumatic central cord syndrome, ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, congenital narrowing of canal stenosis, decompression, laminoplasty
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