Spinal cord injury following chiropractic manipulation to the neck

Acta Radiol. 2011 Dec 1;52(10):1125-7. doi: 10.1258/ar.2011.110281. Epub 2011 Oct 24.

Abstract

Spinal cord injury is a rare complication of chiropractic treatment. This case report describes a 50-year-old man who developed neurological symptoms a few hours after manipulation (high velocity low amplitude [HVLA] technique) of the cervical spine. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the cervical spine revealed intramedullary high signal at the C2/3 level of the right side of the cervical cord on the T2-weighted images. The potential mechanism of injury and causes of the radiological appearance are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / complications
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Manipulation, Chiropractic / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / pathology*