Neurological complications of anterior spinal surgery for kyphosis with normal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs)

We report a case of neurological complications of anterior release for corr ection of kyphosis. After the operation, the patient had pyramidal weakness and decreased pain sensation below T5, whereas light touch, proprioception and vibration sensation were intact. Clinical and neurophysiological findi ngs in this patient suggested a partial lesion of the spinal cord probably due to ischaemia in the territory of the anterior spinal artery. Intraopera tive and postoperative tibial nerve SEPs remained normal, which stresses th e need for recording from the motor pathways.