Spinal Cord Infarction in a Young Patient After a Simple Stretching Maneuver: A Case Report of Rare Etiology and Diagnostic Challenges.

Spinal cord infarction is a rare and diagnostically challenging condition, particularly in young patients without significant trauma or identifiable vascular risk factors. It typically presents with acute motor deficits, impaired pain and temperature sensation, and relative preservation of proprioception. We report a case of a 17-year-old male who developed sudden bilateral upper limb weakness and numbness following a simple stretching maneuver while studying, during which an audible "pop" was noted. His symptoms rapidly progressed to involve the lower limbs, resulting in an inability to ambulate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, performed approximately 24 hours after symptom onset, demonstrated longitudinally high T2-weighted signal intensity extending from C5 to T3, with predominant anterior column involvement, consistent with spinal cord infarction. Extensive serological investigations excluded alternative diagnoses, including inflammatory and demyelinating conditions such as transverse myelitis. This case highlights the importance of early imaging and a high index of clinical suspicion when evaluating acute neurological deficits in young patients with atypical presentations.