Loss of Pain and Temperature on the Left Side of the Body Following Right Anterolateral Cervical Spinal Cord Contusion

Pathophysiology of Anterolateral Spinal Cord Injury

The anterolateral portion of the spinal cord contains the lateral spinothalamic tract, which carries pain and temperature sensations from the contralateral side of the body, resulting in contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation below the level of injury, a characteristic feature seen in Brown-Séquard syndrome and its variants 1
When a contusion affects the right anterolateral portion of the cervical spinal cord, it damages the ascending fibers that have already crossed from the left side of the body, leading to loss of pain and temperature sensation on the left side of the body below the level of injury 1

Proprioception and vibration sense are typically preserved unless the posterior columns are also affected 1

MRI is the gold standard for diagnosing traumatic soft tissue injuries in the neck, including spinal cord contusions, according to the American College of Radiology 2

Early surgical decompression (within 24 hours of injury) is strongly recommended for incomplete spinal cord syndromes to improve neurological outcomes 1
Immediate optimization of cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic parameters is essential to prevent secondary injury 1
Management in a specialized acute spinal cord injury unit reduces morbidity and mortality 1

Comprehensive rehabilitation should begin from the first days of injury and continue through all phases of care 1