Case demonstrates Horner syndrome as a rare complication of vertebral column resection in a young boy, indicating need for family counseling.
Case: A 12-year-old boy with congenital scoliosis underwent posterior spinal fusion from C7 to T7 with a vertebral column resection (VCR) of T3 to T4. Postoperatively, he developed left-sided ptosis and miosis with an unremarkable MRI of the head, cervical, and thoracic spine. Apraclonidine testing confirmed Horner syndrome. The patient required no ophthalmologic intervention and demonstrated continued functional and symptom improvement at 6 months with stable spinal alignment. Conclusion: This case highlights Horner syndrome as a rare potential complication of VCRs without epidural analgesia, emphasizing the need for additional counseling to families on this potential postoperative outcome.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Galla et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: