A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

High Spinal Cord Injury After a Minor Fall in a 23‐Month‐Old Girl With Atlantoaxial Instability Associated With Morquio Type A: A Case Report;




AuthorsKryssi, Verneri; Syvänen, Johanna; Helenius, Linda; Raitio, Arimatias; Helenius, Ilkka

EditorsRawal Neetu

PublisherWiley

Publication year2026

Journal: Case reports in surgery

Article number2693820

ISSN2090-6900

eISSN2090-6919

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1155/cris/2693820

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1155/cris/2693820

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/527017378

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Case: A 23-month-old girl with Morquio A syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis IVA [MPS IVA]) scheduled for atlantoaxial stabilization surgery sustained a cervical spinal cord injury with tetraplegic symptoms following a low-energy fall. Computed tomography (CT) images showed forward translation of C1 over C2 and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed upper cervical spinal cord injury. An urgent decompression and spinal fusion from C0 to C2 were performed. Postoperative recovery showed significant neurological improvement and at 1-year follow-up, the patient was symptom-free.

Conclusion: This case highlights the risk of severe cervical spinal cord injury following minor trauma in patients with MPS IVA-associated cervical instability and demonstrates the potential for neurological recovery after prompt surgical decompression and stabilization.


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Funding information in the publication
The authors declare that no funding or financial support was received for this study. Open access publishing facilitated by Turun yliopisto, as part of the Wiley - FinELib agreement.


Last updated on 11/08/2026 02:26:51 PM