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Anterior spinal artery syndrome

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: Beck syndrome

Overview

Overview

Anterior spinal artery syndrome is ischemia or infarction of the spinal cord in the distribution of the anterior spinal artery, which supplies the ventral two-thirds of the spinal cord and medulla.

Causes

Causes

This condition is usually associated with atherosclerosis of the aorta and may result from dissection of an aortic aneurysm or rarely dissection of the anterior spinal artery.

Presentation

Presentation

Clinical features include weakness and loss of pain and temperature sensation below the level of injury, with relative sparing of position and vibratory sensation.[1]

References

References

  1. Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1249-50

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