[Spinal cord infarctions as a complication of coronary angiography].
BACKGROUND
Spinal cord infarction is the commonest vascular disorder of the spinal cord, but its incidence is low and difficulty in diagnosis means that often it is not recognized. Although cases of spinal cord infarction have been reported as complicating angiographic procedures, it rarely occurs nowadays.


METHODS
We describe a case of spinal cord infarction following coronariography. The patient was a 61 year-old man with ischemic cardiopathy who was admitted to our hospital for coronariographic study. Immediately after the study had been done, the patient complained of acute, intense lumbar pain with paraesthesia and progressive weakness of his legs, developing paraparesia and sphincter disorders. Magnetic resonance of the spine was done and in the spinal cord an oval lesion was seen in the medullar cone which was compatible with infarction. Six months later this finding was unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
A spinal infarction as a complication of invasive vascular studies, such as angiographies, is exceptional nowadays, but should be remembered as a possible adverse effect. It may be suspected in cases of acute lumbar pain with motor and sensory defects of the legs and may be confirmed on magnetic resonance studies of the spinal cord.
Aramburu
O
O
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Macarena, Sevilla, España. oaramburub@nexo.es
Mesa
C
C
Arias
J L
JL
Izquierdo
G
G
Pérez-Cano
R
R
D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology
Infarto medular como complicación de coronariografía.