A Case of Delayed Treatment in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Presenting as Hemiplegia in an Elderly Female

Abstract

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative disease of the spine that occurs mainly in the elderly, along with age-related changes in the spine. It has a varied presentation, from nonspecific paraesthesia and neck pain to hemiplegia and paraplegia, even quadriplegia, due to the compression of the cervical spine or nerves in the spinal canal or foramina. The diagnosis is often delayed, and cases may present as acute worsening and even hemiplegia mimicking stroke following trauma or neck manipulation. We present a case of CSM in an elderly female presenting with hemiplegia. There was a good recovery after surgical decompression. This case highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion and early diagnosis.