Acute Myelopathy: Vascular and Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Vascular and infectious causes are rare but important causes of spinal cord injury. High suspicion for these processes is necessary, as symptoms may progress over hours to days, resulting in delayed presentation and diagnosis and worse outcomes. History and clinical examination findings can assist with localization of the affected vascular territory and spinal level, which will assist with focusing spinal imaging. Open and/or endovascular surgical management depends on the associated vascular abnormality. Infectious myelopathy treatment consists of targeted antimicrobial therapy when possible, infectious source control, and again, close monitoring for systemic complications.

Keywords: Acute flaccid myelopathy; Arteriovenous malformation; Artery of Adamkiewicz; Dural fistula; Epidural abscess; Hematomyelia; Myelopathy; Spinal cord infarction.