Myotonic dystrophy and traumatic quadriplegia: case report

A thirty-year-old man with traumatic quadriplegia, was also found to have weakness above the level of the injury. He had facial weakness, difficulty in swallowing, and recurrent respiratory problems. A diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy was supported by examination of his sister. The problems of diagnosis, and the implications of the diagnosis on the management of the patient with myotonic dystrophy and a spinal injury are discussed.