There are very few reports describing paraplegia of spinal origin after cardiac arrest
in adults and none in pediatrics. We report a case of spinal cord injury with spinal
subdural hematoma after chest compressions. A 4-month-old male infant with a hypoplastic
left ventricle underwent cardiac transplantation at the age of three months. Two weeks
after transplant, an episode of asystole and ventricular fibrillation of unknown origin
occurred. His resuscitation included a 10-minute period of chest compressions. After
sedation was discontinued, the patient was found to be paraplegic. Spinal magnetic
resonance imaging showed a subdural hematoma and a hemorrhagic medullary contusion
extending from T4 to T10 with a subarachnoid hemorrhage extending from T10 to S2.
Adequate compression to ensure support of circulation is life saving but pediatricians
must be aware of the potential risk of spinal cord injury after chest compressions.
Keywords
Spinal subdural hematoma - spinal cord injury - chest compressions - cardiac arrest
