Spinal cord dysfunction secondary to a sports/exercise event: Two case reports

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to present two young patients with SCDys after participation in a sports/exercise event. The authors aim to raise awareness of these unusual causes with potentially fatal results. The authors want to review literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment and particular rehabilitation issues of SCDys. Methods: Two cases of young patients with a history of SCDys consulted the pediatric rehabilitation medicine service. Results: Physical examination revealed incomplete paraparesis and neurogenic bladder. Both final diagnoses were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography scan. Treatment was aimed at avoiding further/permanent neurological complications in both cases, taking into consideration their respective etiologies. Conclusion: SCDys is a nontraumatic spinal cord injury that has different etiologies. This paper presents a SCDys due to an unusual etiology.

Keywords

• pediatric
• spinal cord dysfunction
• spinal cord injury
• sports