Acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury in a third-trimester pregnant female with good maternal and fetal outcome: a case report and literature review.

Background: The management of acute traumatic cervical spine injury in a third-trimester pregnancy is challenging with risks involved for both the mother and the fetus. We report one such case that was managed successfully with good maternal and fetal outcomes.

Case presentation: A 30 years female, gravida 2, para 1, living 1 at 31 weeks 5 days of pregnancy, met with a RTA and was diagnosed with AIS B C4-C5 extension compression spinal cord injury (SCI) with a viable fetus. Closed reduction of C4-C5 dislocation was achieved through controlled cervical traction. Having involved the patient in informed decision-making, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) was performed under general anesthesia (GA), with obstetrician, as well as neonatologist available in the operation theater. The pregnancy was uneventful in the post-operative stage. A healthy baby was delivered at 36 weeks of gestation through cesarean section. At final follow-up review of 12 months the patient was ambulatory without support and was able to perform most of the regular activities independently.

Discussion: The significant risk of a spontaneous delivery with GA posed the dilemma of either managing the injury conservatively through bed rest, continuing the pregnancy till its term and then opting for surgical stabilization after delivery or opting for surgical stabilization of the spine immediately, with a view for early mobilization and rehabilitation. A successful outcome of traumatic cervical SCI in third-trimester pregnancy can be achieved by multi-disciplinary (anesthetist, obstetrician, neonatologist, spine surgeon, and physiatrist) team, and timely surgical spinal stabilization, followed by early comprehensive rehabilitation.