Medication Summary
With few exceptions, pharmacologic intervention is used only for symptomatic treatment of Foix-Alajouanine syndrome. Agents used in this therapy include the following:
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Corticosteroids - Dexamethasone
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Anticoagulants - Heparin
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Antibiotics - Including amoxicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ); for bowel and bladder infections and terminal sepsis
Corticosteroids
Class Summary
Anti-inflammatory medications may improve neurologic disability during acute symptoms.
Dexamethasone (Baycadron)
Dexamethasone is a synthetic adrenocortical steroid. During the acute phase of Foix-Alajouanine syndrome, intravenous (IV) dexamethasone may improve neurologic disability.
Anticoagulants, Hematologic
Class Summary
If angiographic evidence of thrombosis exists, anticoagulation with heparin may be indicated.
Heparin
Heparin inhibits reactions that lead to blood clotting and the formation of fibrin clots (in vitro and in vivo). The drug is administered intravenously; oral administration is not effective. Adjust the dosage according to the patient's coagulation test results. The dosage is considered adequate when the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 1.5-2 times normal. Continue heparin administration for at least 48 hours after the therapeutic value of aPTT has been reached.
Antibiotics, Other
Class Summary
Institute proper antibiotic therapy as indicated for bladder or bowel infections and for terminal sepsis, which frequently has a pulmonary etiology.
Amoxicillin (Moxatag)
Amoxicillin is an analogue of ampicillin with broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra DS)
TMP-SMZ is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antibacterial combination that inhibits bacterial synthesis of dihydrofolic acid by competing with para-aminobenzoic acid, resulting in the inhibition of bacterial growth.
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Gross photograph of the dorsal surface of the spinal cord showing dilated and tortuous vessels.
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Photomicrograph of the cervical spinal cord region showing a thickened subarachnoid vein with a thrombotic occlusion (hematoxylin and eosin stain).
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Photograph of the cervical spinal cord illustrating dilated, abundant subarachnoid veins (hematoxylin and eosin stain).
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Photomicrograph of the cervical spinal cord region demonstrating several dilated, hyalinized intraparenchymal vessels (hematoxylin and eosin stain).
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Photomicrograph of the cervical spinal cord depicting ischemic necrosis of the parenchyma (hematoxylin and eosin stain).