Stabbing injury of the spinal cord: A case report and systematic literature review

Abstract

BackgroundSpinal cord injury caused by stab wounds (SCISW) represents one of the rarest causes of traumatic spinal cord injury. Because of their rarity, management of such cases may be challenging due to the lack of specific guidelines. MethodsThe systematic review was performed on 30th June 2024 according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and The Polish Medical Bibliography. Additionally, a unique case was presented as an illustrative clinical presentation. ResultsA total of 89 eligible articles, including 78 case reports (89 patients) and 11 case series (882 patients), were found. The current report describes a case of a 41-year-old man with one neck stab wound and a stab wound of the chest. Clinical examination demonstrated complete paraplegia and a lack of sensation below the level of T1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a complete transection of the spinal cord at the T1-T2 level. Due to the lack of foreign bodies at the injury site, the patient was managed conservatively. ConclusionDirect stabbing injuries rarely lead to complete transection of the spinal cord as in our case. Computed tomography (CT) scans or plain radiographs are necessary to exclude retained foreign bodies. MRI as a further imaging tool can confirm the SCI and may be useful as a predictor of outcomes. Regarding optimal management, conservative treatment should be preferred over surgical intervention in the absence of a foreign body at the injury site.