Spinal Infarction Following Bilateral Common Iliac Artery Stenting: A Rare Case Report

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Spinal cord infarction is a rare but severe complication of vascular and endovascular procedures.
• It is infrequently reported following iliac artery interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of spinal cord infarction after aortoiliac stenting.
• To discuss potential mechanisms and implications for patient management.

Main Methods:

• A 53-year-old woman with severe bilateral common iliac artery stenoses underwent endovascular repair.
• The procedure involved deployment of aortic and bilateral common iliac artery covered stents.
• Spinal MRI was performed to evaluate neurological deficits.

Main Results:

• The endovascular procedure was angiographically successful.
• The patient rapidly developed paraplegia within hours post-procedure.
• Spinal MRI confirmed extensive thoracolumbar (T11-L2) infarction with characteristic imaging findings.
• No neurological recovery occurred during hospitalization, with the patient remaining paraplegic.

Conclusions:

• Spinal cord infarction can occur after aortoiliac stenting, despite its rarity.
• Potential causes include procedure-associated microembolization or compromise of collateral blood supply.
• Vigilant neurological monitoring and pre-procedural risk assessment are crucial for high-risk patients.