Esophageal Perforation After Anterior Cervical Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review.

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Esophageal perforation (EP) after anterior cervical surgery is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. EP caused by malpositioned implants in cervical spine injury with multiple comorbidities is challenging to treat simultaneously. STUDY: This was a case report study. PURPOSE OF STUDY: The aim of this study was to present successful treatment of EP in a subluxated C5-C6 level with implant failure, infection, septicemia, and comorbidities. The aim was to emphasize the need for a multispecialty approach while treating serious complications. CASE: A 72-year-old woman presented to the ER with a history of operated cervical spine a week ago and having breathlessness, fever, wound infection, and tracheostomy in situ. After primary investigations, the patient was initially treated in the intensive care unit, where bleeding from the tracheostomy site was noticed. Upon endoscopy, EP was diagnosed due to implant failure. She was operated for revision cervical spine surgery (drainage of pus with anterior and posterior cervical fixation) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion (esophageal diversion). On exploration of EP, a decision was made to perform conservative treatment as initial tag sutures did not hold due to infection. Postoperatively, the patient developed rectal bleed 3 times, which was ultimately treated with cecal bleed embolization. The infected cervical wound was managed with an open dressing. The patient was managed with intermittent assisted ventilation through tracheostomy postoperatively. Barium swallow at 10 weeks confirmed healing of EP and oral feed was started. Tracheostomy closure was performed once the wound had healed, and the patient was discharged with improved neurology at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative problems after cervical surgery such as breathing difficulty, wound discharge, and worsening of neurology may lead to suspicion of underlying EP due to implant failure. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy needs to be considered for a prompt diagnosis. Revision spine surgery with treatment of perforation simultaneously and maintenance of enteral nutrition through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube with a multispecialty approach is recommended for this potentially life-threatening condition.

Hypokalemic Paraparesis Progressing to Quadriparesis in a Case of Intradural Spinal Tumor.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to present a case of spinal intradural tumor with paraparesis referred for surgery, which later progressed to quadriparesis and subsequently found to have hypokalemia due to primary hyperaldosteronism causing a clinical dilemma. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old male was referred for surgery from peripheral center with a diagnosis of an intradural tumor at L1. The patient presented to us with paraparesis, which progressed to quadriparesis. On evaluation, the patient was found to have low serum potassium levels of 1.6 mmol/L with hypertension. The plasma aldosterone-renin was elevated which was suggestive of primary hyperaldosteronism. Further, investigations in the form of CT abdomen suggested the presence of a right adrenal adenoma. The patient was diagnosed with hypokalemia-induced quadriparesis and treated conservatively with potassium supplementation and later spironolactone. The patient recovered completely in 72 h and was able to walk independently before discharge. CONCLUSION: Spinal tumor may not always be the cause for patient's paraparesis; non-spinal factors such as hypokalemia should be kept in mind. The presence of intradural spinal tumor with hypokalemia may cause decision dilemma regarding treatment and interdisciplinary approach is recommended to facilitate the treatment.