Sudden Death in a Patient With Spinal Cystic Space-occupying Lesion Presenting as Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein: A Case Report

We report a case of sudden death presented as elevated CSF protein. Magnetic resonance imaging of the 61-year-old man spine revealed that L4, L5, and S1 of the spinal cord were compressed by the cystic space-occupying lesions. On admission day 2, the examination of CSF showed severe elevated CSF protein. Known causes of elevated CSF protein were carefully excluded before the planned operation. During the diagnostic period for elevated CSF protein, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome suddenly occurred and caused death on admission day 8. Acute pandysautonomia, which is not familiar to neurosurgeons, might explain the pathogenesis of this unusual evolution.
Source: Neurosurgery Quarterly - Category: Neurosurgery Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research