Ms. Johnson, an automobile whiplash victim, has been suffering spinal shock, but is looking forward to complete recovery. One night on evening rounds, her nurse discovered her in a fetal position, her body drenched with sweat. She was incontinent of feces and urine and her blood pressure was dangerously high. After a while, she was stabilized. How could these events happen and what is this response called?
Answer:
If Ms. Johnson had been suffering spinal shock, then it is clear that the injuries to her spine are a lot more than just whiplash injury. Evidence for this is also provided by the episode of dysautonomia (which the previous answer so succintly describes) which she suffered.I'm sure she is in good hands and appropriate investigations are being carried out. But if not, I would advise that MRI of cerivcal spine be taken to ensure that there is no cord damage (I suspect, from the spectrum of her symptoms, that there are at least some hyperintense changes in T2W images of MRI). She should also have plain X-ray of cervical spine, and if the lateral view in neutral position is normal, she should also have flexion/extension views taken to ensure that there is no instability.I repeat, this is not just a whiplash injury that you are dealing with.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects