anterior cord syndrome

Etiology

• aortic aneurysm
• aortic dissection
• trauma to the aorta
• surgery to repair aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection
• atherosclerosis

Epidemiology

• most common form of spinal cord infarction

Pathology

• occlusion of the anterior spinal artery that supplies the anterior portion of the spinal cord
• blood supply to the anterior spinal cord is interrupted
• infarction of the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord
• a separate vasculature supplies the posterior spinal cord

Clinical manifestations

• loss of motor function below the level of injury
• loss of pain & temperature sensation below the level of injury
• preservation of light touch & proprioception

Management

• prognosis:
  • prognosis is good if recovery is evident & progressive within the 1st 24 hours
  • only 10-15% of patients with functional recovery

More general terms

• spinal cord injury (SCI)
• syndrome