Anterior spinal artery syndrome

Anterior spinal artery syndrome (also known as "anterior spinal cord syndrome") is syndrome caused by ischemia of the anterior spinal artery, resulting in loss of function of the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord. The region affected includes the descending corticospinal tract, ascending spinothalamic tract, and autonomic fibers. It is characterized by a corresponding loss of motor function, loss of pain and temperature sensation, and hypotension.

Anterior spinal artery syndrome.
Anterior cord syndrome is central diagram
SpecialtyNeurosurgery 

Anterior spinal artery syndrome is the most common form of spinal cord infarction.[1] The anterior spinal cord is at increased risk for infarction because it is supplied by the single anterior spinal artery, which has few collateral unlike the posterior spinal cord which is supplied by two posterior spinal arteries.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms usually occur very quickly and are often experienced within one hour of the initial damage. MRI can detect the magnitude and location of the damage 10–15 hours after the initiation of symptoms. Diffusion-weighted imaging may be used as it is able to identify the damage within a few minutes of symptomatic onset.[1]

Clinical features include paraparesis or quadriparesis (depending on the level of the injury) and impaired pain and temperature sensation. Complete motor paralysis below the level of the lesion due to interruption of the corticospinal tract, and loss of pain and temperature sensation at and below the level of the lesion. Proprioception and vibratory sensation is preserved, as it is in the dorsal side of the spinal cord.

Causes

Due to the branches of the aorta that supply the anterior spinal artery, the most common causes are insufficiencies within the aorta. These include aortic aneurysms, dissections, direct trauma to the aorta, surgeries, and atherosclerosis. Acute disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, kyphoscoliosis, damage to the spinal column and neoplasia all could result in ischemia from anterior spinal artery occlusion leading to anterior cord syndrome. Other causes include vasculitis, polycythemia, sickle cell disease, decompression sickness, and collagen and elastin disorders.[1] Any embolus or thrombus in largest feeder vessel known as the artery of Adamkiewicz, can lead to an anterior spinal syndrome. This is the most feared, though rare complication of bronchial artery embolization done in massive hemoptysis.[6]

Anatomy

The anterior portion of the spinal cord is supplied by the anterior spinal artery. It begins at the foramen magnum where branches of the two vertebral arteries exit, merge, and descend along the anterior spinal cord. As the anterior spinal artery proceeds inferiorly, it receives branches originating mostly from the aorta.[1] The largest aortic branch is the artery of Adamkiewicz.

Diagnosis

An MRI is used in the process of making a diagnosis for this condition

Treatment

Treatment is determined based on the primary cause of anterior cord syndrome. When the diagnosis of anterior cord syndrome is determined, the prognosis is unfortunate. The mortality rate is approximately 20%, with 50% of individuals living with anterior cord syndrome having very little or no changes in symptoms.[1]

Eponym

It is also known as "Beck's syndrome".[7][8]

See also

References

  1. Schneider, Gregory S. (2010). "Anterior spinal cord syndrome after initiation of treatment with atenolol". The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 38 (5): e49–e52. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.08.061. PMID 18597977.
  2. Foo, D; Rossier, AB (Feb 1983). "Anterior spinal artery syndrome and its natural history". Paraplegia. 21 (1): 1–10. doi:10.1038/sc.1983.1. PMID 6835686.
  3. Wheele's Orthopedics
  4. Cheshire, WP; Santos, CC; Massey, EW; Howard JF, Jr (Aug 1996). "Spinal cord infarction: etiology and outcome". Neurology. 47 (2): 321–30. doi:10.1212/wnl.47.2.321. PMID 8757000.
  5. Cheung, AT; Weiss, SJ; McGarvey, ML; Stecker, MM; Hogan, MS; Escherich, A; Bavaria, JE (Aug 2002). "Interventions for reversing delayed-onset postoperative paraplegia after thoracic aortic reconstruction". The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 74 (2): 413–9, discussion 420–1. doi:10.1016/s0003-4975(02)03714-1. PMID 12173822.
  6. Yoon, Woong; Kim, Jae Kyu; Kim, Yun Hyun; Chung, Tae Woong; Kang, Heoung Keun (2002). "Bronchial and Nonbronchial Systemic Artery Embolization for Life-threatening Hemoptysis: A Comprehensive Review". Radiographics. 22 (6): 1395–1409. doi:10.1148/rg.226015180. PMID 12432111.
  7. synd/755 at Who Named It?
  8. Beck, Karl (1951–1952). "Das Syndrom des Verschlusses der vorderen Spinalarterie". Deutsche Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde. 167 (3): 164–186. doi:10.1007/BF00242756.
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