Megadose Methylprednisolone in Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Author(s): Yehezkiel Kurniawan, Yudhisman Imran*, Mulia Rahmansyah, Irmiya Rachmiyani, Triasti Khusfiani, Ainaya Az Zahra and Emad Yousif
Abstract
Methylprednisolone (MP) has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects at the cellular level in cases of acute traumatic Spinal Cord Injury(SCI). A 27-year-old man was referred to the emergency room because unable to move both limbs since 4.5 hours ago after falling down from a height of 3 meters. In the Neurology examination was found lower limb motor strength (0000/0000). Thoracolumbar X-ray showed wedge-shaped compression with vertebral body retropulsion of Lumbar1. Patient received an intravenous megadose MP and kyphoplasty surgery and stabilization of the L1 vertebral corpus. After treatment, the patient’s motor strength improved to 5555/5555. During treatment, the patient did not complain of heartburn, or tightness and no decubitus ulcers were found. This case report emphasizes the effective use of megadose MP in acute traumatic SCI but underscores the importance of careful consideration of the risk- benefit profile, monitoring of side effects, and the timing of administration.
