Progressive flaccid paraparesis with albuminocytologic dissociation: It's not always Gullain-Barre syndrome

Abstract

Context

Spondylodiscitis, or vertebral osteomyelitis, is an unusual infection of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs that can occasionally present with neurological signs.

Findings

We present a patient with subacute flaccid paraparesis with associated albuminocytologic dissociation who was eventually diagnosed with spondylodiscitis.

Conclusion

The case presented depicts a diagnostic difficulty encountered in clinical practice: Albuminocytologic dissociation in CSF is not always attributed to Guillain-Barre syndrome and other possible causes such as obstructive spinal cord lesions must always be considered.

KEYWORDS:

• Spondylodiscitis
• Vertebral osteomyelitis
• Flaccid paraparesis
• Albuminocytologic dissociation

Acknowledgements

The authors report no conflict of interest. No financial support recieved for the work reported in this paper.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors None.

Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethics approval None.