Background and Objective: High-voltage electrical
burn associated delayed spinal cord injury is a very
low incidence with only few citations and reports.
Although the sequelae is not a life-threatening
complication but can be devastating and the
morbidity is high. In case with presentation is delayed
for several days to weeks after the initial injury,
recovery is not the rule. Clinical follow up with
aggressive rehabilitation is essential for a successful
of recovery. This study aimed to study clinical onset,
pattern of neurological symptom and to study the
recovery pattern in high voltage electrical injury
leading to delayed spinal cord complication.
Materials and Method: Report the case of 18-yearold
Thai man who experienced a high-voltage
electrical injury of the head resulting in clinical
myelopathy with quadriparesis in ascending pattern.
Results: An 18-year-old Thai man sustained a
high-voltage-electrical injury to his head and was
unconscious at the scene. He had burns to his head,
left shoulder, left arm and both feet. Initially, he had
no limb weakness. On the 7th day after injury, he was
observed to move his legs less than his arms. CT scan
and MRI spine showed no pathology to describe the
weakness. He received multiple skin graft and scalp
rotational flap to coverage the burn wound and
provide constant daily rehabilitation of all four limbs
in 64 days in hospital. After neurological follow up at
8 months after the initial injury, motor power of the upper extremities are fully recovery (motor power gr
V) and the lower extremities are improve (motor
power grade II to grade III).
Conclusion: High-voltage electrical injuries are a
serious problem with potential for both immediate
and delayed spinal cord sequelae. Multidisciplinary
management with long term follow up is required.