A Rare Case of Bilateral Foot Drop Following Cervical Decompression in Tandem Spinal Stenosis

This case report discusses a 70-year-old male who developed complications, including bilateral foot drop, after cervical decompression surgery for tandem spinal stenosis. The patient had pre-existing conditions like hypertension and diabetes and was initially admitted after a fall, showing limb weakness and urinary retention. Post-surgery, he developed worsening weakness and foot drop, diagnosed as white cord syndrome (WCS), a rare reperfusion injury. Subsequent lumbar fusion was performed to address the foot drop.

• 1
  The patient experienced transient improvements post-cervical decompression but later developed delirium, worsening right-sided weakness, and bilateral foot drop.
• 2
  MRI revealed a fluid collection at the surgical site with possible intradural extension and cord edema, suggesting white cord syndrome.
• 3
  Lumbar interbody fusion was performed to address the bilateral foot drop, but the patient redeveloped delirium postoperatively before ultimately being discharged to a nursing home.