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Rapid Recovery from Paraplegia in a Patient with Foix-Alajouanine Syndrome
Holger Joswig1, Faizal A Haji1, Rafael Martinez-Perez1
1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Foix-Alajouanine syndrome is defined as acute neurologic deterioration in the setting of a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula.
Case Description:
This case report on a young patient with an unusual clinical onset of Foix-Alajouanine syndrome coincidentally occurring after his outpatient clinic appointment illustrates how prompt surgical treatment can result in rapid recovery of neurologic function despite preoperative paraplegia.
Conclusions:
Venous hypertension with subsequent rapid resolution after surgical treatment is the pathophysiological mechanism underlying a dural arteriovenous fistula, in contrast to historical views suggesting that these lesions result from irreversible venous thrombosis, resulting in necrotic myelopathy.
