2 research outputs found
Clinical-therapeutic and recuperators complex aspects in a chronic ethanol-consuming patient with incomplete AIS/Frankel D tetraplegia after cervical SCI on the background of ankylosing spondylitis, with C6 transosus fracture operated (by mixed osteosynthesis) and immobilized in the halo-vest by falling from its own level and the posterior cerebral artery ischemic stroke (possibly by vertebral artery dissection)
Spinal cord injuries and strokes are frequent causes of motor deficit in patients of all ages, with complex family and social
consequences (through sensitivity and movement disorders). On the other hand, toxic-nutritional abuses (especially ethanolic) cause
morpho-physiological changes throughout the body, with frequent consecutive neuro-psychic manifestations, followed by
(potentially) various traumatic injuries. Therefore, the biological and scientific clinical follow-up of traumatized vertebro-medullary
patients is of particular importance. With the approval of the Bioethics Commission of the Bagdasar Arseni Emergency Clinical
Hospital (TEHBA) Bucharest (number 9181 dated April 11, 2018), we will present the special case of a patient admitted to the
Neuromuscular Recovery Clinic of THEBA for incomplete tetraplegia motor deficit AIS/Frankel D, with neurologic level C6 after
a vertebral-medullary trauma (produced in conditions of ethanol abuse) and with parieto-occipital ischemic vascular accident
produced simultaneously. The peculiarities of this case are the possible (but less common) immediate consequences of vertebralmedullary
traumas: paravertebral nervous ganglion lesions; arterial (carotid / vertebral) dissections, which can cause ischemic
lesions, all requiring appropriate clinical and therapeutic management. Spinal cord injuries can be favored by toxic-nutritional abuse
and may have immediate, late, and permanent morpho-physiological consequences. However, sometimes the clinical evolution and
prognosis are surprisingly positive
Psycho-cognitive syndrome, blindness and tetraplegia after severe traumatic brain injury in polytraumatic context (road acc.) with favorable recovery of cognitive and motor deficits
Introduction
The impact of accidents is important both for younger and older people. We live in a multisensory environment and the interaction
between our genes and the environment shapes our brains. Cortical blindness as a result of head trauma (to the brain's occipital
cortex) is a rare phenomenon and can be a total or partial loss of vision in a normal-appearing eye. How patients will adjust to the
loss of vision and its consequences might be a challenge let along if they have mobility imparement (tetraplegia) as well.
Adaptation and reintegration of patients into society after motor recovery in the context of visual sensory deficit. TBI survivors
themselves and their families are likely more interested in quality-of-life outcomes, such as reintegration into the community,
successful return to work or school, and functional capacity in everyday life. Cognitive and behavioural changes, difficulties
maintaining personal relationships and coping with school and work are reported by survivors as more disabling than any residual
physical deficits.
As with all rehabilitation, the goal is to help the person achieve the maximum degree of return to their previous level of
functioning.
Case presentation
Having the patient and TEHBA Bioethics Committee aproval, we will present the evolution of a case with postraumatic spastic
tetraplegia post severe traumatic brain injury, blindness post traumatic bilateral occipital lesions and psycho-cognitive syndrome.
Clinical and paraclinical aspects will be discussed (patient history and clinical examination, results of imaging and laboratory
tests, the neuromioartrokinetic exam, specific rating scales, both medical and kinetotherapeutic treatments).We will address the
case in terms of particularities and treatment approach (neurorehabilation of a motor deficit in the context of a major sensory
deficiency) and evolution during hospitalization.
Conclusions
Trauma has been known to result in cortical blindness but the exact pathophysiology remains unknown and remains a matter of
continued debate. Cortical blindness may occur after trauma, however, most cases regardless of etiology, are reversible and have no
long term sequelae. While TBI can cause long-term physical disability, it is the complex neurobehavioural sequelae that produce
the greatest disruption to quality of life. As with all rehabilitation, the goal is to help the person achieve the maximum degree of
return to their previous level of functioning. In the setting of polytrauma, a careful ophthalmologic and neurologic examination of
the trauma patient, together with a high index of suspicion, is necessary for the diagnosis of this condition. Heightened awareness
of the causes should be followed with appropriate imaging and management