A case of conversion disorder caused by traffic accident mimicking cervical cord injury is reported. The patient was a 42year-old male. He was transferred to our emergency center by ambulance after a traffic accident while riding a 400cc motorcycle. He exhibited abdominal breathing, and motor and sensory function of the bilateral upper and lower extremities had been completely lost. There was no anal reflex, though other neurological reflexes were normal. Severe lower cervical injury was suspected, but cervical vertebral radiographs, head CT, and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging revealed no abnormalities. Finally, it became clear that he had suffered an episode of acute transient psychological disorder 6 years previously, and was therefore admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of conversion disorder. His symptoms gradually improved, and on the 13th hospital day he was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation. Psychological disorder should be considered in the differential diagnosis when detailed physical examination indicates the presence of dissociative symptoms.
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