Brown-Sequard syndrome produced by cervical disc herniation: Case report and literature review

Christopher S. Rumana, David S. Baskin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Brown-Sequard Syndrome is most commonly described in conjunction with a traumatic injury to the spinal cord. The condition involves ipsilateral loss of motor function, proprioception, and vibratory sensation, combined with contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old female developed left thigh discomfort and numbness. Over the next five months, this spread to involve her left leg and chest to the axilla. Physical examination revealed myelopathy. Also present were motor, proprioceptive, and vibratory deficits in the right leg. A left sensory level to T2 was present. An MRI scan showed a large right cervical herniated disc with unilateral spinal cord compression. Following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the patient's symptoms have steadily improved. CONCLUSIONS: The Brown-Sequard Syndrome can be caused by a herniated cervical disc. MRI scans should be employed early in the diagnostic evaluation of such patients, particularly in the absence of penetrating trauma or other obvious causes of the syndrome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)359-361
Number of pages3
JournalSurgical Neurology
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1996

Keywords

  • Brown-Sequard Syndrome
  • herniated disc
  • myelopathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Surgery

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