Overview
Which clinical history findings are characteristic of spinal cord infarction?
What is a spinal cord infarction?
What is the pathophysiology of spinal cord infarction?
What is the prevalence of spinal cord infarction in the US?
What is the global prevalence of spinal cord infarction?
What is the mortality and morbidity associated with spinal cord infarction?
What is the prognosis of spinal cord infarction?
Presentation
Which clinical history findings are characteristic of spinal cord infarction?
Which physical findings are characteristic of spinal cord infarction?
What causes spinal cord infarction?
DDX
Which condition must be excluded first in the differential diagnoses of spinal cord infarction?
How is spinal cord infarction differentiated from AIDP?
Why is it important to differentiate intraspinal hemorrhage from spinal cord infarction?
Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of spinal cord infarction?
What are the differential diagnoses for Spinal Cord Infarction?
Workup
What is the role of lab testing in the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction?
What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction?
What is the role of EMG and NCV in the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction?
What is the role of biopsy in the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction?
What is the role of CSF analysis in the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction?
What is the role of PCR in the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction?
Which histologic findings are characteristic of spinal cord infarction?
Treatment
How is spinal cord infarction treated?
Which specialist consultations are beneficial to patients with spinal cord infarction?
Which dietary modifications are used in the treatment of spinal cord infarction?
Which activity modifications are used in the treatment of spinal cord infarction?
Medications
What is the role of medications in the treatment of spinal cord infarction?
Follow-up
How is spasticity in spinal cord infarction treated?
How is impotence in spinal cord infarction treated?
How is urinary dysfunction treated in spinal cord infarction?
What is included in inpatient care for spinal cord infarction?
Which medications are used in the treatment of spinal cord infarction?
What are the indications for patient transfer in spinal cord infarction?
How is spinal cord infarction prevented?
What are the possible complications of spinal cord infarction?
What is the prognosis of spinal cord infarction?
What is included in patient education about spinal cord infarction?
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Transverse section of spinal cord showing location of main pathways. The lamination of fibers in posterior columns and in lateral spinothalamic and lateral corticospinal tracts is indicated (C, cervical; T, thoracic; L, lumbar; S, sacral).
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Simplified representation of course of major sensory pathways in the spinal cord. Decussation of the spinothalamic tracts occurs within one or two segments of their entry.
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Pattern of arterial supply to spinal cord and (left) territories of the anterior and posterior spinal arteries.
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Guide to clinical determination of the segmental spinal cord level.
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Transverse section of spinal cord at T12-L1 showing infarction of central cord. The patient became paraplegic following resection of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. During surgery, prolonged occlusion of the abdominal aorta and great anterior radicular artery was necessary.