Neuro-muscular rehabilitation approach with favorable results in a case of a tetraplegia after a cervical ganglioneuroma – case presentation

Abstract

This is the case of a 52-year-old male patient with tetraplegia and muscle respiratory failure, due to an extradural compressive cervical ganglioneuroma (C1-C2), with a history of neurological symptoms for 3 years. The tumor was completely surgically removed and the patient followed a neuro-muscular rehabilitation program (NMRP) for 4 months, consisting of rehabilitation nursing, physical and occupational therapy. At the end of NMRP the patient’s achievements were: unilateral supported walking, partial autonomous daily living functioning, the improvement of quality of life and facilitation of social and professional participation. Keywords: ganglioneuroma, spinal cord tumor, neuro-muscular rehabilitation program, non-traumatic spinal cord injury, spinal cord compression,