Undiagnosed Infection Leads to Paralysis

Case Overview

This case takes place in Missouri and involves a female patient who underwent fusion surgery on her upper spine. The patient was discharged but later returned to the ER with signs of sepsis from the surgical site, and was consequently was admitted to the ICU. A scan of the upper spine did not reveal evidence of an infection or any other damage to the spine. However, it did not rule out damage at another level of the spine, and did not explain the patient’s symptoms. Some time after initial presentation, the patient developed numbness in her lower extremities. The treating surgeon was notified but did not order any emergency investigations or imaging. Later that day, another scan of the upper spine was ordered as a non-emergency. Upon review of the upper spine, there were no signs of any abscesses. Some time later, another scan of the lower spine was conducted which revealed an infection and several other issues. The patient was taken to the OR for immediate surgical treatment. The remainder of the patient’s admission was difficult, and she never regained motor function in her legs.