Cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata: Report of three cases

Abstract

Study design: Report of three cases of cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata. Objective: To stress the importance of upper cervical spine lesions causing neurological symptoms and signs. Setting: Neuro-orthopedic service, Fukui University Hospital, Japan. Results: Three patients (all females; one with congenital anomaly at the occiput-atlas level, one with assimilation of the atlas, and one with rheumatoid arthritis-related proliferative synovium) had clinical features of cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata. All three cases underwent decompressive surgeries. Conclusion: Neurological symptoms and signs of cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata should be carefully assessed, and surgical therapy should be based on the pathological condition. © 2006 International Spinal Cord Society All rights reserved.