Spinal cord stroke in a ballet dancer

Severe spinal cord ischemia subsequent to fibrocartilaginous embolism

“…Spinal cord ischemia occurring in context with physical effort and/or Valsalva maneuvers support the idea that Valsalva maneuvers may induce embolism. Recently, Spengos et al [7] implicated a association between FCE and repeated Valsalva maneuvers as well.…”

The Child With Acute Weakness

“…33 Diffusion-weighted imaging of the spine may help with the diagnosis by differentiating vasogenic edema from cytotoxic edema 34 and allows identification of cord ischemia within hours of the insult. 26 "Pencil-like" hyperintensities, cord enlargement, and H-shaped or snake-eyes/owl's eyes-like lesion can be seen in imaging performed at least 4 hours after symptom onset without enhancement until repeat imaging a few days later (Figure 2A-E).…”

“…32,34,38 It may present in patients after heavy weight-lifting exercises in a squatting position, 32,38 competitive ballet, 34 or competitive ski jumping 33 or after less dramatic activity such as somersaults, stooping, carrying groceries, or straining. 35 The diagnosis of FE is based on a supportive presenting history followed by severe back pain followed by a rapidly progressive paraplegia/quadriplegia and disappearance of reflexes and sphincter tone, absence of systemic embolic sources or prothrombotic conditions and negative CSF evaluation, and an MRI with cord swelling and increased T2 signal intensity within disk collagen or Schmorl's nodes.…”

Delayed post-traumatic spinal cord infarction in an adult after minor head and neck trauma: a case report

“…Delayed post-traumatic spinal cord infarction is a devastating complication described in children after injuries without vertebral fracture [2] or even after intensive physical exercise [3]. In adults, spinal cord ischemia has been reported to occur after aortic surgery, scoliosis correction, and profound arterial hypotension [4-6], but delayed spinal cord infarction after minor head trauma has not been described yet.…”