A RARE POSTOPERATIVE NEUROLOGIC CRISIS

Ischaemic myelopathy is one of the causes of limb weakness following open repair of aortic aneurysm. We present the case report of a 73 year old male, who was on treatment for Parkinsonism and became immobile after aortic surgery for ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Initially, ischaemic myelopathy was suspected, but it ultimately turned out to be acute presentation of akinetic crisis, which is a rare complication of Parkinson's disease. It is a preventable complication, as it most often occurs due to the inadvertent withdrawal of antiparkinsonian medications, as in our patient. Hence, it is important, especially for a vascular surgeon performing surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm, to be aware of this condition for prompt diagnosis and treatment without which the condition causes serious morbidity and even mortality.