An approach to the management of fever of unknown origin in the setting of acute spinal cord injury

Discovering the cause of a fever without obvious signs can be challenging, potentially requiring many tests. In patients with acute spinal cord injury, this is even more complex because they are susceptible to various conditions that cause fever, some rare in the general population. This case report presents a unique case and diagnostic workup of fever of unknown origin in a 51-year-old male with multiple medical comorbidities who presented with an acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury. The patient's intermittent fevers were likely caused by multiple factors including hospital-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infections, influenza B, and dysautonomia.

• 1
  The case highlights the importance of serial medical histories and physical examinations when investigating fever of unknown origin.
• 2
  The case supports considering additional workup for a patient's fever even after finding a potential source.
• 3
  The case emphasizes the need for increased awareness of quadriplegic fever to improve its recognition, prevention, and management.