Spinal Cord Stroke
Mar 13, 2014 19:23:08 GMT -8
Post by Butiki on Mar 13, 2014 19:23:08 GMT -8
Browsing the internet last night I came upon another form of Spinal Cord Injury that I had never heard of before, Spinal Cord Stroke.
The devastating hallmark symptom of spinal cord stroke is the abrupt onset of paralysis. This may be preceded by back pain, diffuse aching which ascends from the feet to the abdomen, with weakness and numbness. Paraplegia or quadriplegia may occur in minutes, or hours. Sensory loss and urinary dysfunction, most often urinary retention, ensue.
Spinal cord infarction is caused by an interruption of blood flow anywhere from the aorta to the spinal arteries, or by severe systemic hypotension, or both. Symptoms are directly related to the location of the ischemia and infarct.
Spinal cord infarction is caused by an interruption of blood flow anywhere from the aorta to the spinal arteries, or by severe systemic hypotension, or both. Symptoms are directly related to the location of the ischemia and infarct.
Many conditions may cause symptoms similar to spinal cord stroke, but have a slower, progressive onset. Some of these include acute transverse myelitis, multiple sclerosis, spinal tumor, meningitis, and metabolic myelopathies.
Diagnosis of spinal cord stroke is made primarily by clinical presentation of rapid onset of symptoms over hours or minutes, lack of preexisting systemic disease, findings of acute flaccid paralysis, decreased tendon reflexes, positive Babinski sign, and sphincter abnormalities. Laboratory and radiographic studies rule out compressive disorders of the spine, such as tumor, and a lumbar puncture may rule out infection or hemorrhage. CSF studies rule out transverse myelitis or multiple sclerosis. MRI can be a useful tool in diagnosing spinal infarct.
Prognosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of spinal cord stroke is made primarily by clinical presentation of rapid onset of symptoms over hours or minutes, lack of preexisting systemic disease, findings of acute flaccid paralysis, decreased tendon reflexes, positive Babinski sign, and sphincter abnormalities. Laboratory and radiographic studies rule out compressive disorders of the spine, such as tumor, and a lumbar puncture may rule out infection or hemorrhage. CSF studies rule out transverse myelitis or multiple sclerosis. MRI can be a useful tool in diagnosing spinal infarct.
Prognosis and Treatment
Recovery is variable, from no improvement to total recovery. Treatment of spinal cord infarct is supportive. Maintenance of adequate blood pressure and prevention of complications due to immobility and bladder and bowel dysfunction is vital. Physical and occupational therapy are begun early in the course to help patients regain a maximal degree of independence. Psychological support and counseling are of paramount importance since a sudden onset of paralysis with uncertainty of recovery, is understandably viewed by the patient as a catastrophic event.
Here is some more information about Spinal Cord Stroke click here
................I had no understanding of this and not sure if i had heard of it..maybe one time 
