Surgical Neurology International, 2016 · DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.193726 · Published: November 9, 2016
This case report describes a rare instance of paraplegia, or paralysis of the legs, resulting from head trauma that caused contusions, or bruising, on both sides of the precentral gyrus, a region of the brain responsible for motor function. The patient, a 72-year-old man, initially presented with leg paralysis and impaired consciousness after a fall. Imaging revealed contusions in the precentral gyri, leading doctors to conclude the brain injury was causing the leg weakness. The patient underwent rehabilitation and showed improvement over time, with the brain lesions also decreasing in size on follow-up imaging. This case highlights the importance of considering brain contusions as a potential cause of paraplegia, even though it is uncommon.
Cerebral contusions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of paraplegia, even in cases of head trauma.
FLAIR MRI in the acute phase is useful for identifying precentral gyri contusions, especially when other causes of paraplegia are ruled out.
The size and evolution of FLAIR MRI lesions may be related to the patient's functional prognosis and recovery potential.