Non-traumatic acute paraplegia caused by cervical disc herniation in a patient with sleep apnoea

HK Goh, YH Li
Correspondence: Dr Goh Hsin Kai, hsin_kai_goh@ttsh.com.sg

ABSTRACT
A 57-year-old man with obstructive sleep apnoea presented with acute progression of myelopathy into paraplegia resulting from cervical disc herniation at C4-C5 and C5-C6 levels. There was no associated history of trauma. Rapid progress to paraplegia from non-traumatic cervical disc herniation rarely occurs. Diagnostic and treatment modalities are discussed. The possible relationship between cervical myelopathy and sleep apnoea is also discussed.

Keywords: myelopathy, non-traumatic paraplegia, sleep apnoea, intervertebral disc herniation
Singapore Med J 2004; 45(5): 235-238