Spinal cord ischemia

Question 1

complication of?

Answer 1

thoracic aortic aneurysm repair as it can disrupt spinal cord blood flow. aortic cross clamping causes spinal cord temporary hypoperfusion and vascular graft placement can disrupt segmental arteries arising from the aorta.

Question 2

anterior spinal artery and ischemic infarct?

Answer 2

relies on blood supply from the segmental arteries ( supplies the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord) susceptible to ischemic infarct.

Question 3

anterior cord syndrome?

Answer 3

caused by infarction to the anterior spinal cord.

Question 4

anterior cord syndrome features?

Answer 4

bilateral flaccid paralysis from damage to the lateral corticospinal tracts and anterior horn cells, loss of pain/ temp and crude touch sensation, urinary retention from damage to the descending autonomic tracts involved in bladder control.

Question 5

posterior spinal arteries

Answer 5

arise off the vertebral/posterior inferior cerebellar artery are intact and maintain perfusion to the posterior spinal cord ( vibratory, proprioceptive and light touch sensation).

Question 6

ischemic infarction presentation

Answer 6

flaccid paralysis due to spinal shock ( temporary loss of all distal spinal cord function) occurs initially, upper motor neuron signs such as spasticity and hyperreflexia subsequently develop over days to weeks.