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Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine 2000;17:374-375; doi:10.1136/emj.17.5.374
© 2000 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the College of Emergency Medicine.
J Accid Emerg Med 2000; 17:374-375
© 2000 the Emergency Medicine Journal

Case report

Adult spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality

Sarah Crawford and Tony Bleetman

Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5SS

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to: Mr Bleetman, Consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine (bleetman{at}enterprise.net)

Abstract

Spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality is rare in adults. A case is described of a 61 year old man who fell 15 feet from a ladder striking his head on a wall who presented with neck pain and with motor and sensory neurological abnormalities in his limbs. Plain radiographs of the neck revealed no fractures or dislocations. Further imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an osteophyte fracture with associated cord contusion at the C5 level. Careful neurological examination is essential in all cases of potential spinal injury.

Keywords: spinal cord injury


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