Anterior spinal artery syndrome and its natural history

Abstract

Summary. The anterior spinal artery syndrome in three patients is described and from the literature 60 additional patients were collected. Motor recovery in the following groups of patients was noted: (I) Partial loss of motor function and pain sensation-70'4 per cent (19/27); (2) Complete motor loss but partial loss of pain-83 3 per cent (5/6); (3) Paresis but pain sensation absent-66'7 per cent (6/9); and (4) Absent motor function and pain-38-9 per cent (7/18). Motor recovery was also found to vary according to aetiology: (A) Unknown cause-92'9 per cent (13/14); (B) Post-infection or vaccination-88'9 per cent (8/9); (C) Anterior spinal artery occlusion-33'3 per cent (3/9); CD) Spinal cord angioma-20 per cent (2/10); and (E) Aortic lesion-20 per cent (1/5).Patients with sparing of motor function or pain sensation below the lesion do better than those without both functions. Neurological return also varies with the aetiology of the syndrome.

Ischemic Spinal Cord Infarction in Children Without Vertebral Fracture

“…This might be due to age-related processes affecting perfusion of the cord. The most common causes of spinal cord infarction in adults are vascular, including atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic disease/ surgery, and hypotension [6,[12][13][14][15][16][17]. Compromise of blood flow to the adult cord has also been associated with cervical spondylosis [18].…”

Multiple Spinal Cord Infarction due to Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome

“…Reliable incidence rates do not exist due to publication of case reports or cases series [1,2]. A retrospective one-center study finds spinal cord infarction accountable for 1.2% of the total admissions [3].…”

Ischaemic lumbosacral plexopathy in acute vascular compromise:case report

“…The sensory changes are characterised by a loss of pain and temperature sense but with preser vation of deep sensation and proprioception. [Adams, 1985;Blenow, 1987;Fos burg, 1976;Foo, 1983] Paralysis of the bowel and bladder is also found. [Blenow, 1987;Fosburg, 1976;Foo, 1983] Electrodiagnostic testing reveals normal nerve conduction studies, variable electromyographic findings depending on the com pleteness of the lesion, but typically evidence of denervation of all musculature caudal to the lesion, including the paraspinals.…”

“…[Adams, 1985;Blenow, 1987;Fos burg, 1976;Foo, 1983] Paralysis of the bowel and bladder is also found. [Blenow, 1987;Fosburg, 1976;Foo, 1983] Electrodiagnostic testing reveals normal nerve conduction studies, variable electromyographic findings depending on the com pleteness of the lesion, but typically evidence of denervation of all musculature caudal to the lesion, including the paraspinals. [Foo, 1983;Kimura, 1985] Neuro physiological investigation typically shows slow or abnormal SSEP's [Kimura, 1985].…”

“…[Blenow, 1987;Fosburg, 1976;Foo, 1983] Electrodiagnostic testing reveals normal nerve conduction studies, variable electromyographic findings depending on the com pleteness of the lesion, but typically evidence of denervation of all musculature caudal to the lesion, including the paraspinals. [Foo, 1983;Kimura, 1985] Neuro physiological investigation typically shows slow or abnormal SSEP's [Kimura, 1985]. Often, these 'classic' findings are rarely all present, and the lesion is often defmed as 'incomplete'.…”