A Case of Spinal Atrophic Paralysis Caused by Low-Voltage Electrical Injury

Abstract

Electrical injury can damage any structure in the peripheral and central nervous system through which it passes. Spinal atrophic paralysis is a syndrome of focal muscular atrophy occurring after a shock from man-made electricity. A previously healthy 29-year-old male has suffered from non-progressive atrophy of both upper extremities, especially hands, which insidiously progressed and became static for a few years, after electrical injury to right hand by household, low-tension current (110 V, a.c.) when he was 17-year-old. There was a noticeable muscle wasting of both hands with mildly diminished muscle power. Sensation was normal. Nerve conduction studies showed low CMAP amplitude of right ulnar nerve and absence or prolongation of F-wave of right ulnar and median nerves. Needle EMG of the muscles of right upper extremity demonstrated giant, polyphasic motor unit potentials of long duration without active denervation potentials. There was mid- to lower-cervical cord atrophy on the spinal MRI.