Late‑onset white cord syndrome following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A case report

Lei,Chang-Zhen; Gong,Dao-Jun; Zhou,Yang-Fan

doi:10.3892/etm.2022.11770

January-2023 Volume 25 Issue 1

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January-2023 Volume 25 Issue 1

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Case Report Open Access

Late‑onset white cord syndrome following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A case report

Authors:
- Chang-Zhen Lei
- Dao-Jun Gong
- Yang-Fan Zhou
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Surgery, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321000, P.R. China, Department of Orthopedics, Pan'an County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321000, P.R. China

Copyright: © Lei et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
Article Number: 71
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Published online on: December 14, 2022

https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11770
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Abstract

White cord syndrome refers to an emerging neurological dysfunction occurring after spinal decompression surgery with hyperenhancing changes on T2‑weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T2WI). The pathophysiological mechanism is hypothesized to be an ischemia‑reperfusion injury following chronic ischemic spinal cord decompression. A 54‑year‑old man was admitted to Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital with complaints of numbness and weakness in the extremities and swelling in the neck. MRI showed degeneration and herniation of the C4‑C7 intervertebral discs. The patient underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). On the 7th postoperative day, the patient reappeared with weakness of the limbs. Physical examination revealed paralysis. Emergency MRI suggested T2 high signal myelopathy and emergency surgery was performed following the diagnosis of white cord syndrome. Following the operation, the patient's neurological system gradually improved. The motor ability and sensory function of the extremities recovered at 7‑month follow‑up. Spine surgeons should be aware of this serious complication. The present case serves to provide experience for clinical treatment and diagnosis and encourage research into its pathophysiology.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Late‑onset white cord syndrome following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A case report

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