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Updated: May 15, 2026
05:53
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Cervical spinal cord infarction after cervical spine decompressive surgery
Samuel Kalb1, Saeed Fakhran2, Bruce Dean2
1Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
World Neurosurgery
|December 27, 2012
Summary
Spinal cord infarction is a rare complication after cervical decompressive surgery. Pre-existing vascular issues, sometimes combined with hypotension, may cause these serious neurologic deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Cervical decompressive surgery aims to alleviate spinal cord compression.
- Persistent postoperative neurologic deficits can occur, sometimes mimicking spinal cord infarction.
Observation:
- This study retrospectively analyzed five patients with suspected spinal cord infarction post-cervical decompressive surgery.
- Vascular compromise or risk factors were present in all patients.
- Hypotensive episodes occurred in four patients, two intraoperatively and two postoperatively.
Findings:
- All patients exhibited antecedent cervical cord vascular compromise or generalized vascular risk factors.
- Spinal cord infarction was confirmed through clinical course and imaging evaluation.
- No concomitant brain infarctions were observed in patients experiencing hypotension.
Implications:
- Neuroimaging is crucial for diagnosing spinal cord infarction post-surgery, excluding compression, and confirming decompression.
- Unrecognized preoperative vascular compromise is a significant risk factor for spinal cord infarction.
- Management strategies should consider both pre-existing vascular status and potential intraoperative/postoperative hypotension.
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