A Case Report of Brown-Sequard Syndrome Caused by Traumatic Cervical Fracture

Article information

Acupunct. 2015;32(1):133-140

doi : https://doi.org/10.13045/acupunct.2015013

Sul Gi Kim ¹, June Hyun Kim ¹, Sueng Hyuk Park ², Jun Sup Choi ³, Nam Geun Cho ¹^,

¹Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University

²Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University

³Department of Rehabilitation, Wonkwang University Iksan Korean Medicine Hospital

^*Corresponding author: Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, 895, Muwang-ro, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do, 570-711, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-63-859-2812, E-mail: choandle@hanmail.net

Received 2015 January 23; Revised 2015 March 02; Accepted 2015 March 05.

Abstract

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to report a case of Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by traumatic cervical fracture, presenting pain in the right upper extremity and back of the left hand, motor weakness in the right side and diminished pain and temperature in the left side.

Methods:

A patient received Korean medical treatment(acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, Silver Spike point electrotherapy(SSP)) and rehabilitation treatment. We evaluated pain with the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), motor grade with a Medical Research Council(MRC) scale, sensory function and Modified Barthel Index(MBI).

Results:

After treatment, the patient showed considerable improvement in NRS, motor & sensory function, and MBI.

Conclusions:

Korean medical and rehabilitation treatments could be effective for Brown-Sequard syndrome patients. More extensive studies should be carried out.

Keywords: Spinal cord injury; Brown-Sequard syndrome; Acupuncture; Wei symptom; Bi Jeung; Herbal medicine

Fig. 1.

Pre OP state of C-spine MRI saggital view

Fig. 2.

Pre OP state of C-spine MRI axial view

Fig. 3.

Post OP state of C-spine X-ray

Table 1.

Motor Grade of Rt. Upper/ Lower Extremity at Admission

Table 2.

Medical Research Council(MRC) Scale

Table 3.

The Change of Motor Grade of Rt. Side

Table 4.

The Change of Sensory Function of Lt. Side

Table 5.

The Change of MBI

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