Vascular Spinal Cord Disorders

Abstract

Vascular disorders of the spinal cord are uncommon yet under-recognized causes of myelopathy. Etiologies can be predominantly categorized into clinical and radiographic presentations of arterial ischemia, venous congestion/ischemia, hematomyelia, and extraparenchymal hemorrhage. While vascular myelopathies often produce significant morbidity, recent advances in the understanding and recognition of these disorders should continue to expedite diagnosis and proper management, and ideally improve patient outcomes. This article comprehensively reviews relevant spinal cord vascular anatomy, clinical features, radiographic findings, treatment, and prognosis of vascular disorders of the spinal cord.

Vascular Myelopathies

“…Stroke is a leading cause of permanent disability and mortality worldwide, and timely recognition and treatment are critical to minimizing injury 1 . Although a majority of neurovascular disorders affect the cerebral vasculature, vascular pathologies of the spinal cord are equally devastating and often exacerbated by delayed diagnosis and treatment 2,3 . Understanding the normal anatomy of the spinal angioarchitecture is essential to recognizing clinical manifestations of vascular dysfunction and planning therapeutic strategies.…”

“…1 Although a majority of neurovascular disorders affect the cerebral vasculature, vascular pathologies of the spinal cord are equally devastating and often exacerbated by delayed diagnosis and treatment. 2,3 Understanding the normal anatomy of the spinal angioarchitecture is essential to recognizing clinical manifestations of vascular dysfunction and planning therapeutic strategies. Ruptured or symptomatic lesions may require surgical resection, endovascular embolization, radiation, or a combination of techniques to prevent recurrent events and further clinical events.…”

Transverse spinal cord infarction following immunoglobulin treatment in a patient with exfoliative dermatitis: A case report

“…[ 1 , 2 ] Aortic thrombosis was described as one of the most common etiologies. [ 3 ] Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), widely used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, is considered relatively safe while serious thromboembolic complications have been reported in sporadic cases. [ 4 ] So far none of the cases regarding segmental artery thrombosis causing SCI have been reported.…”