Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
05:53

Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery

Published on: August 17, 2022

4.9K

Acute asymmetrical spinal infarct secondary to fibrocartilaginous embolism

Balaji Rengarajan1, Sunita Venkateswaran, Hugh J McMillan

  • 1Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, 401 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L1, Canada.

Child'S Nervous System : Chns : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
|October 9, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Childhood spinal cord infarction from fibrocartilaginous embolism is rare. Early diagnosis and rehabilitation are crucial for recovery, though outcomes vary.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Spinal cord infarction is a rare pediatric condition with diverse etiologies.
  • Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) can cause spinal stroke, mimicking non-vascular conditions like acute transverse myelitis.

Observation:

  • This report details two pediatric cases of asymmetrical spinal cord infarction attributed to FCE.
  • Clinical presentations, diagnostic imaging, and the pathophysiology of FCE were analyzed.
  • Both patients underwent intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, leading to significant clinical improvement.

Findings:

  • One child achieved a complete recovery.
  • The second child experienced persistent asymmetrical foot weakness and distal sensory deficits.

Implications:

  • Distinguishing spinal cord infarction from transverse myelitis relies on specific clinical and radiographic features.
  • Prognosis is influenced by injury characteristics, spinal cord level, and patient age.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia06:01

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia

Published on: August 18, 2015

14.3K
Photothrombosis-induced Focal Ischemia as a Model of Spinal Cord Injury in Mice08:27

Photothrombosis-induced Focal Ischemia as a Model of Spinal Cord Injury in Mice

Published on: July 16, 2015

13.8K

Related Concept Videos

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
17
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
9
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
7
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
8
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
7
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction01:26

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...
4