Case study reveals importance of MRI and surgical decompression in improving outcomes for monoplegia and brachial plexus injury.
Introduction: Cervical subdural hematoma (SDH) is a rare but life-threatening condition that can cause severe neurological deficits, including tetraparesis and brachial plexus injury (BPI). It is most often trauma-related and requires prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention to prevent permanent damage. This study presents a rare pediatric case and highlights the importance of early recognition and coordinated management to optimize neurological recovery. Case Presentation: A 16-year-old male presented with neck pain and right upper limb monoplegia following a high-speed motorcycle accident. Initial injuries included a temporoparietal laceration and multiple abrasions. MRI revealed a cervical SDH compressing the spinal cord at C5–C6, correlating with brachial plexus dysfunction. Surgical decompression via C5–C6 laminotomy and hematoma evacuation was performed within 48 hours. Postoperative recovery was supported by targeted neurorehabilitation and electrodiagnostic evaluation. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the critical role of early MRI-based diagnosis and timely laminotomy in managing traumatic cervical SDH, particularly in pediatric patients. Prompt surgical decompression significantly improves the chances of neurological recovery and functional restoration in cases complicated by brachial plexus injury.
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Iqbal et al. (2025) studied this question.
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