Abstract
Cruciate paralysis is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening myelopathy thought to arise from injury to the corticospinal tracts at a high cervical spinal level. The authors report on the case of a woman who developed cruciate paralysis secondary to axial subluxation of the cervical spine due to invasion by metastatic breast carcinoma. Correct bedside diagnosis, prompt spinal alignment via halo traction, and surgical spinal decompression with fusion stabilization reversed the paralysis completely. Postoperative antiestrogen medication, spinal radiation, and chemotherapy promoted local tumor control, allowing the patient longevity and good quality pain control. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of cruciate paralysis could effect a good prognosis in a seemingly terminal patient with metastatic spinal breast carcinoma by resolving life-threatening myelopathy, promoting longevity, and assisting with pain control.
Published Version
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