A Case of Bilateral Anterior Gleno-Humeral Dislocation following First Time Seizure

Abstract

Introduction:

Bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation following a seizure has recently been demonstrated as being more common than previously believed with 44 cases in the literature. This case is unique as it was caused by a first time seizure and there was no associated fracture of the humerus.

Case Report:

A previously fit and well 32 year old man presented to the Emergency Department following a convulsive episode. On initial assessment he was drowsy and the focus of investigation was the cause of the seizure, he was prepared for transfer to the medical ward. As he became more alert he complained of bilateral shoulder pain. Further clinical exam highlighted he had reduced range of movement in the shoulder joint bilaterally with a symmetrical clinical appearance of gleno-humeral dislocation. Radiographs confirmed bilateral anterior gleno-humeral dislocations which were reduced under sedation uneventfully.

Conclusion:

Post ictal patients can be difficult to assess when drowsy. Although not all seizures require musculoskeletal examination attending medical staff should remain vigilant to the possibility of injury following seizure to afford prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Introduction

Bilateral shoulder dislocations are regarded as rare orthopaedic injuries. Recent literature review articles have demonstrated that this entity is not as uncommon as believed with 44 cases reported in international journals. This case has two features which make it unusual.

Case report

A previously fit and well 32 year old man presented to the Emergency Department with an episode of convulsion. Whilst sat down at home he suddenly became unresponsive followed by a generalized convulsion of the upper body which terminated spontaneously. He remained on the chair throughout and sustained no trauma. A post-ictal period followed. On presentation he was drowsy but orientated with a GCS of 15. He was initially investigated for the cause of seizure and prepared for transfer to a medicine ward. As he became more alert he directed medical staff to his shoulder injuries which were almost missed. Further clinical exam highlighted he had reduced range of movement in the shoulder joint bilaterally with a symmetrical clinical appearance of gleno-humeral dislocation. There was no neurovascular deficit. Radiographs confirmed bilateral anterior dislocations and following sedation, both were reduced uneventfully using the Kocher technique.

Figure 1.

Right shoulder pre-reduction X-ray

Figure 2.

Left shoulder prereduction X-ray

Figure 3.

Right shoulder follow up X-ray AP

Figure 4.

Left shoulder follow up X- rayAP

Tests were performed to ascertain the cause of the seizure. Neuro-imaging including CT angiography and MRI scan of the brain revealed no abnormality. Blood tests including glucose were all normal and a sleep deprived EEG revealed no abnormality. It is likely that this was a first epileptic seizure. He was encouraged to mobilise both joints early. On follow up he has had no long term sequelae from the shoulder dislocations and has a good range of movement bilaterally.

Discussion

Recent literature review articles have demonstrated that bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation is not as rare as was once believed with Ballesteros demonstrating there are 44 cases in the literature [1]. Bilateral anterior dislocations have been described following trauma, seizure and electric shock [2,3] The mechanism during seizures predisposes to posterior dislocations with the external rotators of the humerus (infraspinatous and teres minor) being overpowered by the more powerful internal roatators (latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major and subscapularis) causing adduction and internal rotation strong enough to dislocate the humeral head posteriorly. Subsequently trauma is a more common cause of bilateral anterior dislocation than seizure as reported by Galanakos et al, Dunlop and Siwach [1,2,3]. Many of the cases in the literature are also associated with fractures of the humerus and or glenoid [2]. Sreesobh suggested that only 3 cases of bilateral anterior dislocation have been reported without associated fractures, none of which were following seizure [4]. A further case described by Segal occurred in a patient who had sustained a previous dislocation of the left shoulder [5]. This case is unusual being an anterior glenohumeral dislocation, in previously uninjured shoulders, following a presumed first epileptic seizure. To the best of the author’s knowledge this is the only case reported within the literature.

Figure 5.

Right shoulder follow up X- ray Axillary

Figure 6.

Left shoulder follow up X-ray Axillary

Table 1.

Comparison Of Cases Reported in Recent International Literature with Mechanism (trauma versus muscular contraction caused by seizure or electrical shock) and Associated Fracture Status

No.	First Author	Year	Age Sex (Years)	Sex	Diagnosis (Acute or Chronic)	Aetiological Categories	Fracture
1	Segal (5)	1979	32 M	Acute	Muscular contraction	Yes
2	Siwach (3)	2008	45 M	Acute	Traumatic	No
3	Kalkan (7)	2009	64 F	Acute	Traumatic	Yes
4	Mofidi (8)	2010	30 M	Acute	Muscular contraction	Yes
5	Thakur (9)	2010	35 M	Acute	Traumatic	Yes
6	Dlimi (10)	2012	20 M	Acute	Traumatic	No
7	Suryavansh i(11)	2012	45 M	Acute	Muscular Contraction	Yes
8	Ballesteros (1)	2013	74 F	Acute	Traumatic	No
		17 M	Acute	Traumatic	No
9	Yashwanth a (12)	2013	45 F	Acute	Traumatic	No
10	Manoharan (13)	2014	46 M	Acute	Atraumatic	Yes
11	Shiber (14)	2014	33 M	Acute	Muscular Contraction	Yes
12	Our Case		32 M	Acute	Muscular Contraction	No

Conclusion

Bilateral asymmetric dislocation of shoulders resulting from seizure although rare is more common than perceived. When present they represent one of the true orthopaedic emergency conditions requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early reduction of the shoulders is essential to relieve pain and to prevent long term complications like avascular necrosis of the humeral head.

Clinical Messege

Post ictal patients are drowsy arid are often unable to give coherent histories. This can make diagnosis difficult. Attending medical staff should remain vigilant to the possibility of injury following seizure.

Biography