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[Spinal cord infarctions as a complication of coronary angiography]
O Aramburu1, C Mesa, J L Arias
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Macarena, Sevilla, España. oaramburub@nexo.es
Insights
Spinal cord infarction is a rare complication of angiographic procedures. This case highlights the importance of considering spinal infarction in patients presenting with acute neurological deficits after such interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord infarction, though the most common vascular spinal cord disorder, is infrequently diagnosed.
- Historically associated with angiography, its occurrence is now rare.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old male with ischemic heart disease developed acute lumbar pain, leg weakness, paraparesia, and sphincter dysfunction post-coronariography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an oval lesion in the medullar cone consistent with infarction.
Findings:
- The spinal cord lesion remained unchanged six months post-infarction.
- The case illustrates spinal cord infarction as an exceptional complication of invasive vascular studies.
Implications:
- Spinal infarction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute neurological deficits following angiography.
- Early suspicion and MRI confirmation are crucial for managing this rare adverse event.
Introduction:
Spinal cord infarction is the commonest vascular disorder of the spinal cord, but its incidence is low and difficulty in diagnosis means that often it is not recognized. Although cases of spinal cord infarction have been reported as complicating angiographic procedures, it rarely occurs nowadays.
Clinical Case:
We describe a case of spinal cord infarction following coronariography. The patient was a 61 year-old man with ischemic cardiopathy who was admitted to our hospital for coronariographic study. Immediately after the study had been done, the patient complained of acute, intense lumbar pain with paraesthesia and progressive weakness of his legs, developing paraparesia and sphincter disorders. Magnetic resonance of the spine was done and in the spinal cord an oval lesion was seen in the medullar cone which was compatible with infarction. Six months later this finding was unchanged.
Conclusion:
A spinal infarction as a complication of invasive vascular studies, such as angiographies, is exceptional nowadays, but should be remembered as a possible adverse effect. It may be suspected in cases of acute lumbar pain with motor and sensory defects of the legs and may be confirmed on magnetic resonance studies of the spinal cord.