INTRODUCTION: Chiropractic manipulations of the cervical region are techniques that are used more and more frequently to treat a number of osteomuscular pathologies, but can give rise to important complications, such as the dissection of the cervical arteries. Dissection of the vertebral artery generally presents as alternating syndromes, of which Wallenberg s syndrome, either complete or incomplete, is the most frequent. In this paper we review the literature published to date on the pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical features, chronopathology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this complication.
CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a young patient who suffered from incomplete Wallenberg s syndrome a few hours after a single session of cervical chiropractic manipulation, and we also show the resonance images that were used to support the diagnosis.
Reference: Menéndez-González M, García C, Suárez E, Fernández-Díaz D, Blázquez-Menes B. Rev Neurol. Wallenberg's syndrome secondary to dissection of the vertebral artery caused by chiropractic manipulation. 2003;37(9):837-9. Free ful text (in Spanish)