Holocord myelopathy with thoracic stenosis: Case report and hypothesis

Abstract

Study design: Case report. Objective: To examine the resolution of holocord myelopathy based on the hypothesis of altered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics. Setting: Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Method: We describe a case of thoracic stenosis with holocord myelopathy, which suggests an alternative mechanism for the myelopathy. Result: Decompression of the thoracic stenosis resulted in the resolution of holocord myelopathy. Conclusion: Myelopathy may be caused by altered CSF dynamics and this type of myelopathy seems to be interstitial edema. Improvement of altered CSF flow dynamics could resolve this type of myelopathy.