FOUR YEARS OF MISDIAGNOSIS: PATIENT FACED RISK OF QUADRIPLEGIA

The Neurosurgery & Spine Department of Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital recently treated a case of severe cervical spine damage causing spinal cord and nerve root compression, which had progressed to quadriparesis due to a four-year misdiagnosis.

Mr. T. (1963) first sought medical attention at a local hospital due to tingling in his fingers. He was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and underwent treatment accordingly. However, his symptoms gradually worsened, spreading to the entire hand and arm.

Despite persistent numbness and discomfort, Mr. T. continued treatment based on the original diagnosis for four years. It wasn’t until he began experiencing progressive weakness in both arms and legs, losing the ability to walk, that his family brought him to Ho Chi Minh City for a more comprehensive evaluation.

At Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, MRI imaging revealed multiple issues in the cervical spine, including degeneration, herniated discs, spinal canal stenosis, and spinal cord compression. These led to spinal cord edema and quadriparesis. Surgical intervention was deemed necessary to address the root cause.

“At first, I was extremely worried when I was told I needed spine surgery — especially at my age, with underlying conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes”, shared Mr. T. “But after asking around, I was introduced to Dr. Vu, a trusted neurosurgeon in Ho Chi Minh City. From the moment I was admitted, I felt completely reassured. Not only Dr. Vu, but also the care team and nurses were incredibly attentive”.

After thorough evaluation, the surgical team led by Dr. Do Anh Vu, MMed, Specialist Level II, and Dr. Duong Duc Anh, MMed, performed a multilevel cervical laminoplasty to decompress the spinal cord. The procedure involved expanding the spinal canal using reconstructive plates, allowing the spinal cord and nerve roots to be “freed” from compression. 

The surgery lasted more than 3 hours and was assisted by the hospital’s anesthesiology team.

Thanks to early postoperative rehabilitation with the hospital’s physiotherapy team, Mr. T.’s condition improved quickly. He regained grip strength and was able to walk unassisted. Just one week after surgery, he was discharged in stable condition.

“Cervical spine degeneration and herniated discs are common in older adults due to gradual wear and tear”, explained Dr. Vu. “Initial symptoms like tingling, numbness, or pain are often overlooked. However, if untreated, degeneration can compress the nerve roots or spinal cord, leading to severe consequences like quadriplegia or loss of bowel and bladder control. Therefore, it’s crucial for patients to seek medical attention when experiencing unusual neurological symptoms”.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital accepts both public health insurance and private health insurance.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.