Cervical cord reperfusion injury: a rare complication of spine surgery

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. A rare complication is postoperative paresis without a clear anatomic cause. This case report describes a patient who developed progressive weakness in his extremities one day after ACDF surgery. An MRI revealed changes consistent with cord reperfusion syndrome. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, and his muscle power gradually improved. Follow-up MRI showed regression of the high signal intensity in the cervical spine.

• 1
  Cervical cord reperfusion injury is a rare cause of neurological decline after spinal cord decompression surgeries.
• 2
  MRI can reveal high signal intensity in the spinal cord on T2-weighted images, indicative of 'white cord syndrome'.
• 3
  High-dose corticosteroid therapy and early physiotherapy may lead to neurological improvement in affected individuals.