Intermittent spinal ischemia. A reversible cause of neurologic dysfunction and back pain.
A woman who presented with leg claudication and neurologic dysfunctions is described. Aortic obstruction was defined by aortography, with large collateral vessels observed above the obstruction extending to the femoral arteries and small collaterals extending to the spinal cord. Aorto-femoral bypass surgery resulted in resolution of the patient's symptoms. Prompt recognition and treatment of spinal cord ischemia is essential if permanent and disabling neurologic damage is to be avoided.
Newcombe
D S
DS
Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000209:etiology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply*