Acute Onset of Intracerebral Hemorrhage due to Autonomic Dysreflexia

Amber Eker, Pembe Hare Yigitoglu, H Ilker Ipekdal, Aliye Tosun, Amber Eker, Pembe Hare Yigitoglu, H Ilker Ipekdal, Aliye Tosun

Abstract

Autonomic dysreflexia is a clinical emergency syndrome of uncontrolled sympathetic output that can occur in patients who have a history of spinal cord injury. Despite its frequency in spinal cord injury patients, central nervous system complications are very rare. We report a man with traumatic high level incomplete spinal cord injury who suffered hypertensive right thalamic hemorrhage secondary to an episode of autonomic dysreflexia. Prompt recognition and removal of the triggering factor, the suprapubic catheter obstruction which led to hypertensive attack, the patient had a favorable functional outcome after the resorption of the hematoma and effective rehabilitation programme.

Keywords: Autonomic dysreflexia; Intracerebral hemorrhage; Spinal cord injury; Urinary tract obstruction.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Cervical MRI demonstrates the atrophy of the spinal cord below the level of the trauma.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cranial CT scan demonstrates hemorrhage in the right thalamic nucleus and also in the third, fourth and lateral ventricles.

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Source: PubMed

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