EXPERIENCE AND REASON |
Intramedullary Hemorrhage in a Neonate After Lumbar Puncture Resulting in Paraplegia: A Case Report

* Pediatric Neurosurgery, Childrens Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama
Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
We present the case of a premature infant with decreased spontaneous movement of the lower extremities. Imaging was demonstrative of a lesion of the conus medullaris. Operatively and with histologic confirmation, the mass was determined to be a blood clot originating from the conus. Retrospectively, the patient had a known lumbar puncture. There were no clotting abnormalities in this patient. At long-term follow-up, the child continues to have lower extremity paresis and incontinence of bowel and bladder. Clinicians should consider the lower termination of the conus medullaris in the infant, especially in the preterm infant.
Key Words: cerebrospinal fluid children paralysis spinal cord
Abbreviations: MRI, magnetic resonance imaging CSF, cerebrospinal fluid
Received for publication May 12, 2003; Accepted Aug 18, 2003.
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