title: Vertebral Artery Dissection and Cord Infarction - an Uncommon Cause of Brown-Séquard and Horner Syndromes.
abstract: This case report illustrates the neuroanatomy and neurovascular anatomy of the cervical spinal cord by exploring the pathophysiology of cervical cord infarction secondary to vertebral artery injury. The spinal cord is made up of several important tracts, including the dorsal column medial lemniscus system, corticospinal tracts, and the anterolateral system. Injury to one or more of these pathways can result in localizing neurological symptoms. Also contributing to the complexity of spinal vascular pathophysiology is the considerable variation to the cervical cord vascular anatomy. Understanding spinal cord function and neuroanatomy can aid in prompt diagnosis and management of ischemic cord lesions. In combination with a thorough clinical exam, advanced imaging techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging, can not only localize the injury but also potentially help predict functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ginos
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mcnally
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cortez
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Utah ; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quigley
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Lubdha M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: brown-sequard; cord infarction; horner syndrome; vertebral artery dissection