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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 [3]
- only 10-15% of patients with functional recovery [3]
General
spinal cord injury (SCI)
syndrome
References
- Wikipedia: Anterior cord syndrome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anterior_cord_syndrome
- Images for Anterior Cord Syndrome
http://www.google.com/search?q=anterior+cord+syndrome&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=u&rls=en&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=tp7CUM7CLOSKjALS6IG4CQ&ved=0CDkQsAQ&biw=1339&bih=642
- Anterior Cord Syndrome
http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/anterior_cord_syndrome