Impressive neurological recovery following C-spine dislocation in a patient on long term immunosuppression

Abstract

We report excellent neurological improvement in a patient with C6/C7 dislocation following a high speed road traffic accident. This case in particular is unusual because the patient was the recipient of an organ transplant during childhood and was therefore on long term immunosuppressant medication at the time of injury. In this report we reflect on the role of steroid use in traumatic spinal cord injury and put our case within the context of current evidence and this unusual clinical scenario.

Keywords: Spinal Trauma; Steroid use; cervical spine injury; immunosuppression.