A Case Report of Spinal Cord Injury Patient From a High Velocity Gunshot Wound to the Lumbar Spine

This case report discusses a patient who sustained a spinal cord injury from a high-velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine. The patient suffered a burst fracture of the first lumbar vertebra and required surgical intervention, including removal of bullet fragments and spinal fixation. Despite surgery and rehabilitation, the patient experienced severe neuropathic pain and showed limited neurological recovery, highlighting the poor prognosis associated with high-velocity gunshot wounds to the spine.

• 1
  The patient sustained a complete spinal cord injury (AIS-A) at the T12 level following a high-velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine.
• 2
  Multiple bullet fragments were lodged in the T12-L1 disc and L1 prevertebral areas, some of which could not be removed during surgery.
• 3
  The patient experienced severe neuropathic pain that was difficult to manage despite various analgesic treatments, and showed limited improvement in gait function and activities of daily living during rehabilitation.