Maria, a 15-Year-Old Girl with Lower Extremity Weakness

Abstract

CASE PRESENTATION A 15-year-old previously healthy girl, Maria, is brought to the emergency department (ED) by emergency medical services for rapidly progressing left lower extremity weakness. Maria has been experiencing left leg weakness for the last 2 weeks after injuring her left ankle while playing basketball, but when she suddenly was unable to stand on her left leg, her father became alarmed and called 911. Upon Maria’s arrival to the ED, the ED physician obtains an immediate computed tomography (CT) scan of her head, which shows no abnormality. Radiographs of the left lower extremity from the hip to foot are also obtained and are normal. The ED physician is concerned about an underlying neurologic cause for Maria’s symptoms and calls you to ask that you evaluate her for admission.