Acute cervical cord injuries in patients with epilepsy. Issue 10 (October 1982)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allen, J W; Kendall, B E; Kocen, R S; Milligan, N M
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 45:Issue 10(1982)
• Page Start: 884
• Page End: 892
• Publication Date: 1982-10
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.45.10.884
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Seven cases with acute cervical cord lesions associated with a fit and fall, were found in approximately 500 patients with epilepsy over a period of 7 years. In all patients the epilepsy was refractory to drug therapy and six suffered tonic fits which resulted in falls and frequent head injuries. Notable radiological changes were found in the cervical spine; there was ankylosis in five, hyperostosis in four and the minimum sagittal diameter of the bony canal was less than 11mm in three cases. The findings indicate that repetitive trauma may be a factor in producing bony changes in the cervical spine which put the patient at risk of cervical cord injury, especially when the spinal canal is developmentally narrow.