Anterior spinal artery syndrome
Anterior spinal artery syndrome. | |
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Anterior cord syndrome is central diagram | |
Specialty | Neurosurgery |
Anterior spinal artery syndrome (also known as "anterior spinal cord syndrome") is syndrome caused by
Anterior spinal artery syndrome is the most common form of spinal cord infarction.
Signs and symptoms
- Complete motor paralysis below the level of the lesion due to interruption of the corticospinal tract
- Loss of temperature sensation at and below the level of the lesion due to interruption of the spinothalamic tract[2]
- Retained
- Autonomic dysfunction may be present and can manifest as hypotension (either orthostatic or frank hypotension), sexual dysfunction, and/or bowel and bladder dysfunction[4][5]
- flaccid internal and external anal sphincter, urinary retention and intestinal obstruction may also be present in individuals with anterior cord syndrome.[1]
Symptoms usually occur very quickly and are often experienced within one hour of the initial damage.
Clinical features include
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
Anatomy
The anterior portion of the spinal cord is supplied by the
Diagnosis
An MRI is used in the process of making a diagnosis for this condition[citation needed]
Treatment
Treatment is determined based on the primary cause of anterior spinal cord syndrome. When the diagnosis of anterior spinal cord syndrome is determined, the prognosis is unfortunate. The mortality rate is approximately 20%, with 50% of individuals living with anterior spinal cord syndrome having very little or no changes in symptoms.[1]
Eponym
It is also known as "Beck's syndrome".[8][9]