Neurogenic shock: a trap in cardiorespiratory arrest on public roads. About a case.

Abstract

Neurogenic shock is a serious complication of vertebromedullary trauma, responsible for a circulatory failure associated with tetraplegia in a context of high kinetic trauma. Such diagnosis is more difficult compared to an isolated
cardiorespiratory arrest. We report a case of cardiorespiratory arrest on the street with a late discovery of a severe
fracture of C2.
Whatever the severity of trauma, when neurogical examination is impossible, the association of arterial hypotension
and extreme bradycardia should evoke a neurogenic shock and prompt rapid computed tomography of the cervical
spine in order to early identify vertebromedullary injury.