ABSTRACT
A 12 year-old female presented to the emergency department with a right hemiparesis, headache, and neck pain. Initial neural imaging studies were unremarkable. However, a repeat MRI of the cervical spine during her acute hospitalization showed an acute spinal infarct. Neurological workup was consistent with fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) as the etiology. After several weeks of intensive inpatient rehabilitation, the patient demonstrated remarkable functional progress. This case report reviews the comprehensive pediatric literature on FCE with focus on the mechanism of injury, role of imaging studies, treatment options and prognosis. Awareness of the typical clinical history, as well as the signs and symptoms characteristic of FCE will improve the identification of this rare cause of abrupt weakness and potentially facilitate functional recovery.
Subject(s)
Cartilage Diseases/rehabilitation , Embolism/rehabilitation , Cartilage Diseases/complications , Cartilage Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Child , Embolism/complications , Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Recovery of Function , Spinal Cord Ischemia/etiology , Spinal Cord Ischemia/rehabilitationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Many atherothrombotic complications are associated with coronary angiography. Spinal cord embolism with high morbidity and mortality is one of these complications. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 65-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with acute myocardial infarction. Immediately after coronary angiography, she complained of paresthesia and paraparesis of her legs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected hyperintensity at the level of the conus medullaris. Antiaggregant therapy and a physiotherapy program continued. After 2 months, clinical and MRI findings had improved. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive procedures such as coronary angiography can lead to serious atherothrombotic complications.