What is anterior cord syndrome?
Anterior cord syndrome is an incomplete cord syndrome that predominantly affects the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord, characteristically resulting in motor paralysis below the level of the lesion as well as the loss of pain and temperature at and below the level of the lesion.
What type of injury causes anterior cord syndrome?
Anterior cord syndrome is caused by ischemia within the anterior spinal artery (ASA), which supplies blood to the anterior 2/3of the spinal cord.
What tracts are affected by anterior cord syndrome?
The region affected includes the descending corticospinal tract, ascending spinothalamic tract, and autonomic fibers. It is characterized by a corresponding loss of motor function, loss of pain and temperature sensation, and hypotension.
How do you get anterior cord syndrome?
Anterior cord syndrome: It is caused by acute disc herniations, tumors, and when the head is forced to the chest (cervical flexion).
What is the pathophysiology of anterior cord syndrome?
Thus, the etiology of anterior cord syndrome is very wide, in that it includes any procedure or disease process that can limit blood flow to this region of the vasculature. The most common cause of anterior cord syndrome is iatrogenic, namely thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
What is anterior spinal artery syndrome (Asas)?
Anterior cord syndrome referred to as Anterior spinal artery syndrome (ASAS) or ventral cord syndrome (VCS). ASAS is an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) that is often related to flexion injuries of the cervical region that result in infarction of the ventral two thirds of the cord and/or its vascular supply from the anterior spinal artery.
What is the pathophysiology of high cervical infarction?
Respiratory failure is a possibility in high cervical infarctions due to involvement at the level of the phrenic nerve, which innervates the diaphragm. High cervical infarctions can also cause bradycardia requiring treatment with atropine or electrical pacing.
What is the pathophysiology of Asas?
ASAS is an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) that is often related to flexion injuries of the cervical region that result in infarction of the ventral two thirds of the cord and/or its vascular supply from the anterior spinal artery.