“White Cord Syndrome” of Acute Tetraplegia after Posterior Cervical Decompression and Resulting Hypoxic Brain Injury

White Cord Syndrome (WCS) is a rare complication following surgery for cervical myelopathy, potentially leading to severe neurological issues. It's thought to arise from ischemia/reperfusion injury. This case report highlights a patient who developed WCS after cervical decompression surgery, followed by a hypoxic brain injury (HBI) during a subsequent procedure to address abdominal distension. The patient experienced sudden loss of consciousness and bradyarrhythmias, leading to the diagnosis of HBI. Despite rehabilitation, there was no neurological improvement.

• 1
  The patient developed White Cord Syndrome (WCS) immediately after laminectomy, indicated by loss of motor-evoked potentials and postoperative imaging showing cord edema.
• 2
  The patient subsequently suffered a hypoxic brain injury (HBI) due to bradyarrhythmias during a diagnostic endoscopy for abdominal distension.
• 3
  Despite treatment with steroids and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, the patient showed no neurological improvement and remained tetraplegic.