Spinal Cord Infarct Due to Fibrocartilaginous Embolism in an Adolescent Boy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) is one of the rare causes of acute spinal cord infarction. We report the case of a previously healthy 14-year-old boy with this condition. A few hours after lifting heavy objects, he developed sudden quadriparesis. On examination, he had asymmetric hypotonic quadriparesis and normal dorsal column function but absent spinothalamic function in all limbs with sensory level to shoulder. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine confirmed the diagnosis of spinal infarction secondary to FCE. The patient initially received methylprednisolone and plasma exchange. A follow-up visit after neurorehabilitation showed improvement but with residual neurological deficit. Although FCE is rare, it should be kept as one of the differential diagnoses of an acute neurological deficit of the spinal cord.