Cervical Osteomyelitis, Cardiac Arrest, and Lance-Adams Syndrome: A Case Report

Lance-Adams syndrome (LAS) is a rare complication of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation, often accompanied by action myoclonus. Myoclonus may occur as generalized, focal, or multifocal movements and can include the face, trunk, and/or extremities. Only 100 cases of LAS have been reported worldwide. Here, we present the case of a 53-year-old female who had a cardiac arrest event after being admitted for posterior cervical wound dehiscence management following a posterior cervical fusion from C3-T1. The patient was successfully resuscitated but developed action myoclonus in all extremities shortly after. Anoxic brain injury and myoclonus led to debilitation and prolonged hospital stay. During her inpatient stay, she was treated with clonazepam, levetiracetam, and sodium valproate with mild improvement.