High Cervical Spinal Cord Vascular Malformation masquerading as Guillian- Barre Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Cervical spinal cord vascular malformations are very rare. They can mimic other neurological diseases involving the spinal cord. We present a case report of a 43-year-old male diagnosed and treated initially as Guillian Barre syndrome due to progressive ascending paralysis with intermittent exacerbations was referred to tertiary care facility for investigations. T2- weighted MRI revealed a vascular malformation in the upper cervical spinal cord. Postmortem examination revealed a vascular malformation with myelopathic changes and hemosiderin deposits in the upper cervical cord. A diagnosis of Intramedullary AVM was made. Spinal and MRI angiography could not be done to due the poor condition of the patient and hence precise delineation of angioarchitecture was not possible. In this report we emphasize the importance of accurate early diagnosis with utilization of appropriate imaging techniques and prompt management resulting in better treatment outcomes in spinal vascular malformations.