Charcot Spinal Arthropathy-Induced Progression From Upper to Lower Motor Neuron Bowel Syndrome

Charcot spinal arthropathy is a progressively degenerative joint disorder of the vertebrae. Historically, it was a common consequence of tertiary syphilis. Currently, it is a rare complication of spinal cord injury (SCI). We present the case of a 28-year-old patient with paraplegia who developed progressive, neurogenic bowel dysfunction due to Charcot spinal arthropathy. Our patient had upper motor neuron bowel syndrome secondary to SCI which advanced to lower motor neuron bowel syndrome. Charcot spinal arthropathy should be considered as a possible cause for symptom progression in SCI patients. This case illustrates the connection between Charcot spine and lower motor neuron dysfunction in the setting of prior upper motor neuron dysfunction.

[1]  A. Paladini,et al.  A comprehensive review of the treatment and management of Charcot spine , 2020, Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease.

[2]  S. Kirshblum,et al.  Charcot Spine following chronic spinal cord injury: an analysis of 201 published cases , 2018, Spinal Cord.

[3]  N. Dahdaleh,et al.  Charcot spinal arthropathy , 2018, Journal of craniovertebral junction & spine.

[4]  David Choi,et al.  Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury—Repair and Regeneration , 2017, Neurosurgery.

[5]  R. Carlier,et al.  CT and MRI of spinal neuroarthropathy. , 2009, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[6]  R. Vialle,et al.  Charcot’s Disease of The Spine: Diagnosis and Treatment , 2005, Spine.

[7]  F. Lecuyer,et al.  Paraplégie avec syndrome de la queue de cheval due a une sténose du canal rachidien par arthropatie tabétique , 1978, Acta Neurochirurgica.

[8]  G. Cantore,et al.  Tabetic lumbar osteoarthropathy with cauda equina syndrome , 2005, Acta Neurochirurgica.

[9]  M. Sipski,et al.  Neurogenic bladder, neurogenic bowel, and sexual dysfunction in people with spinal cord injury. , 2002, Physical therapy.

[10]  Hw Moon,et al.  A comparison of bowel care patterns in patients with spinal cord injury: upper motor neuron bowel vs lower motor neuron bowel , 2001, Spinal Cord.

[11]  L. Goetz,et al.  Neurogenic bowel dysfunction after spinal cord injury: clinical evaluation and rehabilitative management. , 1997, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[12]  M. Race,et al.  Diabetic Charcot spine as cauda equina syndrome: an unusual presentation. , 1985, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[13]  G. Cantore,et al.  Tabetic lumbar osteoarthropathy with cauda equina syndrome. Case report. , 1976, Acta neurochirurgica.

[14]  R. Sengupta,et al.  Cauda equina compression due to tabetic arthropathy of the spine , 1973, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.