Thoracic disc herniation, cord compression, and paraplegia caused by electrical injury: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The case of a patient with thoracic intervertebral disc prolapse, cord compression, and delayed paraplegia with recovery secondary to high-tension electrical current is presented. The unusual entry wound in the neck, makes this a rare event that to our knowledge has not been previously described in the literature. Magnetic resonance imaging allowed noninvasive and early diagnosis, and in the future probably will reveal the true incidence of cord compression in electrical injury victims.