Ischemic stroke of the cervical spinal cord: a review and case report

• Published in: Ortopedii͡a︡, travmatologii͡a︡ i vosstanovitelʹnai͡a︡ khirurgii͡a︡ detskogo vozrasta Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 182 - 191
• Main Authors: Khodorovskaya, Alina M., Agranovich, Olga E., Savina, Margarita V., Petrova, Ekaterina V., Batkin, Sergey F., Dreval, Anna D., Vcherashniy, Daniil B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 10.07.2025
• ISSN: 2309-3994; 2410-8731
• DOI: 10.17816/PTORS658670

BACKGROUND: Ischemic spinal cord stroke is a rare condition, accounting for approximately 1% of all spinal cord strokes. The relevance of this publication is determined by the rarity of the condition, the complexity of differential diagnosis with other acute onset myelopathic syndromes, the severity of spinal stroke outcomes, and insufficient awareness among physicians regarding this condition in children. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a clinical case of acute myelopathic syndrome in an 8-year-old child. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spinal cord correlated with the clinical findings and indicated impaired circulation in anterior spinal artery at the cervical spinal level. DISCUSSION: Acute impairment of spinal cord circulation may be caused by systemic hypotension; occlusion of spinal cord-supplying vessels (traumatic, iatrogenic, thrombotic, or embolic); arterial dissection; arteriovenous malformations and fistulas; or hypercoagulable states. CONCLUSION: In pediatric patients presenting with acute myelopathic syndrome, ischemic stroke of the spinal cord should be considered in the differential diagnosis alongside inflammatory and infectious conditions, particularly in children with significant risk factors. Early recognition of acute impairment of spinal cord circulation is particularly important for timely neuroimaging, consultations with related specialists, and initiating etiotropic or symptomatic treatment upon identification of the underlying cause of acute spinal cord ischemia, as well as early rehabilitation.