Unusual Complications of Anterior Spine Stabilization Procedures

Issue title: Spinal Cord Injury

Guest editors: Robert G. Frank

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kardesch, Cynthia B.^a | Donovan, William H.^b

Affiliations: [a] Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX | [b] Baylor College of Medicine, and Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, TX

Abstract: Physiatrists involved in spinal cord injury rehabilitation must be aware of the potential complications associated with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) that may present in the rehabilitation setting. Documented neurological complications include myelopathy, radiculopathy, and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. We report a rarely encountered complication of ACCF: a recurrent retroesophageal abscess accompanied by left phrenic nerve damage and left hemidiaphragm paralysis with prolonged ventilatory dependency in a quadriplegic patient. Cervical osteomyelitis, spinal instability, aphonia, dysphagia, and a sacral decubitus ulcer caused by prolonged immobility were additional associated complications. The medical and rehabilitative management of recurrent cervico-esophageal abscess due to the ACCF procedure and mechanical ventilatory weaning of the patient are discussed.

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-1991-1409

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 63-67, 1991