Isolated long thoracic nerve paralysis - a rare complication of anterior spinal surgery: a case report

doi:10.4076/1752-1947-3-7366

Journal of Medical Case Reports

Volume 3

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Case report

Isolated long thoracic nerve paralysis - a rare complication of anterior spinal surgery: a case report

Ebrahim Ameri¹ , Hamid Behtash¹ and Farzad Omidi-Kashani²

¹Department of Spine Surgery, Shafa Yahyaeean Hospital, Tehran, Iran

²Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Qaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2009, 3:7366doi:10.4076/1752-1947-3-7366


Published:	23 June 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Isolated long thoracic nerve injury causes paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle. Patients with serratus anterior palsy may present with periscapular pain, weakness, limitation of shoulder elevation and scapular winging.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 23-year-old woman who sustained isolated long thoracic nerve palsy during anterior spinal surgery which caused external compressive force on the nerve.

Conclusion

During positioning of patients into the lateral decubitus position, the course of the long thoracic nerve must be attended to carefully and the nerve should be protected from any external pressure.