Brown‑Sequard Syndrome

A Case Series from a Regional Hospital in Nigeria

Authors

  • Adetunji Toluse Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Author
  • Taofeek Adeyemi Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Author
  • Ebikiye Angaye Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Author
  • Mustapha Alimi Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Author

Keywords:

Brown‑Sequard syndrome, incomplete spinal cord injury, penetrating injury, traumatic spinal cord injury

Abstract

Brown‑Sequard syndrome (BSS) is the constellation of symptoms and signs following hemisection or hemicompression of the spinal cord. The syndrome is an uncommon form of incomplete spinal cord injury with clinical presentation of ipsilateral motor weakness, impaired proprioception and vibratory sensation, with contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation below the level of the lesion. We report two cases of BSS following penetrating (stab) injuries. The patients were managed non‑operatively and they were followed up for 12 and 18 months, respectively, during which they made significant neurologic recovery on the Medical Research Council scale. The objective of this report is to highlight that BSS following trauma can be managed non‑operatively with good neurologic outcome in cases where there is no extrinsic compression of the neural tissues.

Author Biographies

  • Adetunji Toluse, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa

  • Taofeek Adeyemi, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa

  • Ebikiye Angaye, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa

  • Mustapha Alimi, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa

References

1. Rustagi T, Badve S, Maniar H, Parekh AN. Cervical Disc HerniationCausing Brown-Séquard’s Syndrome: A Case Report and LiteratureReview. Case Reports in Orthopedics 2011;2011:943720.DOI: 10.1155/2011/943720.

2. Tseng WS, Huang NC, Huang WS, Lee HC. Brown‑Séquard syndrome:A rare manifestation of decompression sickness. Occup Med (Lond)2015;65:758‑60.

3. Peacock WJ, Shrosbree RD, Key AG. A review of 450 stab of the spinalcord. S Afr Med J 1977;51:961‑4.

4. Zeng Y, Ren H, Wan J, Lu J, Zhong F, Deng S. Cervical discherniation causing Brown‑Sequard syndrome: Case report andreview of literature (CARE‑compliant). Medicine (Baltimore)2018;97:e12377.

5. Roth EJ, Park T, Pang T, Yarkony GM, Lee MY. Traumatic cervicalBrown‑Sequard and Brown‑Sequard‑plus syndromes: The spectrum ofpresentations and outcomes. Paraplegia 1991;29:582‑9.

6. Diabira S, Henaux PL, Riffaud L, Hamlat A, Brassier G, Morandi X. Brown‑Sequard syndrome revealing intradural thoracic disc herniation.Eur Spine J 2011;20:65‑70.

7. Moskowitz E, Schroeppel T. Brown‑Sequard syndrome. Trauma SurgAcute Care Open 2018;3:e000169.

8. Takemura S, Sasai K, Ohnari H, Ichikawa N, Akagi S, Iida H. Brown‑Séquard‑plus syndrome due to stab injury: A case report. SpinalCord 2006;44:518‑21.

9. Lipschitz R, Block J. Stab wounds of the spinal cord. Lancet1962;2:169‑72.

10. Simpson RK Jr., Venger BH, Narayan RK. Treatment of acute penetratinginjuries of the spine: A retrospective analysis. J Trauma 1989;29:42‑6.

Downloads

Published

2020-12-31

How to Cite

Toluse, A., Adeyemi, T., Angaye, E., & Alimi, M. (2020). Brown‑Sequard Syndrome: A Case Series from a Regional Hospital in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma, 19(2), 77-79. https://njot.org/njot/article/view/48