Two cases of Brown-Séquard syndrome in penetrating spinal cord injuries

Abstract

Introduction: Brown-Séquard syndrome due to a stab injuries is uncommon and results from a lesion in one half of the spinal cord.

Background: The role of surgery in the treatment of penetrating spinal injury often remain controversial.

Aim: To discuss the current diagnostic and therapeutic approach for these types of injuries.

Materials and methods: The Authors describe two rare cases of Brown-Séquard syndrome due to civilian stab injuries differently treated. Mechanism of damage, clinical features and neurological outcome are reported.

Results: The recovery of neurological function in the first case indicates that the spinal tracts were injured by a contusion, rather than by a direct injury as in the second case. Moreover, surgery was required in the second patient to remove the weapon and to stabilize the spine, presenting bony and ligamentous instability.

Discussion: The diagnostic and therapeutic management are debated. An overview on clinical research in sperimental medical treatment of spinal cord injury was considered to evaluate future possible approaches to these injuries.

Conclusions: As the neurologic improvement depends on the type and severity of the spinal cord damage, the indications for acute surgical management are limited and conservative management should be preferred.