Anterior Spinal Artery Research Articles

Differences in distribution of anterior segmental medullary arteries in the cervical and thoracolumbar spinal cord: the \u201cinseln\u201d were characteristics in the cervical spinal cord

Anterior segmental medullary arteries cause spinal cord infarction due to circulatory disturbance, but are difficult to identify in diagnostic images. This study investigated the arterial distribution from the cervical to lumbar segments of the dissecting spinal cord in 100 cadavers. The 488 arteries were distributed from C2 to L2, of which 252 arteries from C2 to C8 were slightly dominant on the right side, but 236 arteries from Th1 to L2 were obviously dominant on the left side. This change occurred at the C8 and Th1 segments. Of the 252 arteries, 37.30% (94 arteries) were divided into ascending and descending branches. Both branches formed loops by anastomosis with the anterior spinal arteries. The loops, called “insel”, have an unclear distribution and form. We focused on the features of inseln and found 63 of them in the cervical spinal cord of 45 cadavers. Their numbers and forms differed depending on whether the 94 arteries were bilateral (type A) or unilateral (type B), but the long axis of the insel was limited to one cervical segment. 90.63% of type A were bilateral at the same level, and 70% of type B were on the right side. The former always formed the insel. Further, 94 arteries were distributed from C2 to C7, 82.98% of which were concentrated at C3–C5. Therefore, the arterial blood supply of the spinal cord may differ between the cervical spinal cord and the thoracolumbar cord.

Intradural radicular arteriovenous fistula that mimics dural arteriovenous fistula: report of three cases.

We herein present three cases of a rare type of spinal AVF, an intradural radicular AVF, which mimicked a dural AVF. A 65-year-old male presented with congestive myelopathy. On angiography, right vertebral angiogram (VAG) showed a suspected dural AVF; however, left VAG showed the same intradural dilated vein fed by the anterior spinal artery (ASA). Intraoperative and histological results suggested that a single AVF was located on the right C1 nerve root fed by the right C1 radicular artery and branch of the anterior spinal artery. Two additional patients with a radicular AVF at the C3 or C5 level were presented. Intradural radicular AVFs and dural AVFs have very similar appearances; however, there is a difference that makes the risk of the endovascular treatment of radicular AVFs markedly higher because of blood supply from the ASA. In our case, the AVF was completely occluded by direct surgery without major complications.

Monoparesis Post Bronchial Artery Embolization: Clinicoradiological Discordance in Anterior Spinal Artery Infarct—Case Report and Review of Literature

AbstractBronchial artery embolization (BAE) is an established minimally invasive treatment for massive or recurrent haemoptysis. Anterior spinal artery (ASA) infarct is an uncommon but serious complication of the procedure. The interventional radiologist doing these procedures must be well versed with the bronchial artery anatomy, its variations, and its relation with ASA to avoid this dreaded complication. The authors report a case in which the patient developed monoparesis and mild transient autonomic dysfunction post BAE but magnetic resonance imaging of spine showed diffuse symmetric cord involvement in ASA territory from D1–D4 level.

073 Acute spinal infarction: treatment and outcomes with and without hyperbaric oxygen therapy at fiona stanley hospital

IntroductionSpinal cord infarction is a potentially devastating disorder commonly presenting with anterior spinal artery syndrome developing over minutes to hours, accounting for an estimated 1% of stroke presentations. Aetiologies range from aortic surgical complications, systemic hypotension and other rare causes including fibrocartilaginous embolism and vascular malformations. Diagnosis is clinical combined with restriction on diffusion-weighted MRI. There are no specific treatment guidelines. The evidence for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in acute spinal infarction is mixed. This case series describes ten cases of acute spinal infarction at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), half of which received HBOT.MethodsData for all MRI-proven spinal cord infarctions at FSH between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed.ResultsTen patients, median age 55years (31–74), 60% male. Aetiologies: three fibrocartilaginous emboli, five likely atheroembolic disease, one antiphospholipid syndrome, one cryptogenic. Sixty percent presented with flaccid paraplegia ranging from levels C4 to T11. Five patients received HBOT within a median time of 31 hours from symptom onset, with average 15 treatments. Three patients received triple therapy of HBOT, pentoxyfiline and high-volume lumbar-puncture drainages and had median MRC muscle power of 5- on discharge, compared with 2+ power in those who did not. Nine required inpatient rehabilitation, of average eight weeks’ duration, with median disability at discharge of 3 on the Modified Rankin Scale.ConclusionSpinal infarctions can be severely disabling. Fibrocartilaginous embolism may be more common than previously thought. More research is needed on the role of acute triple therapy with pentoxyfiline, spinal drains and HBOT given the marked difference in this case series.

Anterior Cord Syndrome after Embolization for Malignant Hemoptysis.

Interventional radiology plays an integral role in the management of massive and recurrent submassive hemoptysis. Risks of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) are well described and include spinal ischemia and paralysis, most often related to nontarget embolization of the artery of Adamkiewicz or other large radiculomedullary artery supplying the anterior spinal artery. There is increasing literature regarding spinal infarction following BAE when arterial supply to the spinal cord was not evident. The existence of unrecognized patient comorbidities may further contribute to procedural risks.

Clipping of an anterior spinal artery aneurysm using an endoscopic fluorescence imaging system for craniocervical junction epidural arteriovenous fistula: technical note.

The authors report the case of a 78-year-old man with a craniocervical junction epidural arteriovenous fistula who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured anterior spinal artery (ASA) aneurysm. Because endovascular embolization was difficult, a posterolateral approach was chosen and a novel endoscopic fluorescence imaging system was utilized to clip the aneurysm. The fluorescence imaging system provided clear and magnified views of the ventral spinal cord simultaneously with the endoscope-integrated indocyanine green videoangiography, which helped safely obliterate the ASA aneurysm. With the aid of this novel imaging system, surgeons can appreciate and manipulate complex vascular pathologies of the ventral spinal cord through a posterolateral approach, even when the lesion is closely related to the ASA.

Isolated Cervical Anterior Spinal Artery Aneurysms (CASAAs): A Case Series and The Comprehensive Outcome Analysis of surgical vs non-surgical interventions (P4.3-021)

Isolated Cervical Anterior Spinal Artery Aneurysms (CASAAs): A Case Series and The Comprehensive Outcome Analysis of surgical vs non-surgical interventions (P4.3-021)

Transclival clipping for giant vertebral artery aneurysm: A case report

Abstract Background Endovascular treatment often achieves complete obliteration of VA giant aneurysm; however, retreatment may be required because of late recanalization. We report a case of giant VA aneurysm that showed regrowth after endovascular treatment and was treated with VA clipping using the endoscopic endonasal transclival approach. Case description A 47-year-old man with chief complaint of ataxia underwent endovascular treatment of giant VA aneurysm. One year later, he needed additional treatment to regrowth of the aneurysm. We were not able to accomplish aneurysmectomy via the transcondylar fossa approach because of difficulty in achieving hemostasis and ended with partial thrombectomy. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) performed after 4 months revealed coil compaction and distal flow due to recanalization. Right VA elongation and position of anterior spinal artery (ASA), these factors made possible for us to perform transclival approach to VA. Despite the limited indications for its use, endonasal endoscopic transclival clipping may be effective in limited anatomical cases. Conclusion We report the use of endonasal endoscopic transclival clipping for giant VA aneurysm. This endonasal endoscopic treatment may be an optional alternative in only limited cases depending upon the anatomical location of the lesion because of limitations of vascular control and the inability to visualize the field in the presence of major bleeding. For treatment of progressive giant VA aneurysm, it is very important to avoid optimistic strategy for giant VA aneurysm initially.

Microsurgical Excision of T12-L1 Pial Arteriovenous Malformation: 3-Dimensional Operative Video.

This 29-yr-old man presented with progressive paraparesis, sensory loss, allodynia, bowel, and bladder dysfunction for 9 mo, acutely exacerbated in the preceding 24 h. Magnetic resonance imaging scan showed multiple dilated vessels involving the thoracic cord. Spinal angiogram revealed a T12-L1 pial arteriovenous malformation (AVM)/arteriovenous fistula on the left side. It was fed by an L1 radicular artery that filled the anterior spinal artery, which in turn had multiple feeders to a pial AVM. Because of the supply from the anterior spinal artery with multiple feeders to the AVM, and the danger of infarction of the conus, embolization was not performed. He underwent T11-L1 laminectomy laterally to the pedicles and excision of AVM. There was one large arterialized vein in the midline that had a fistulous connection with an artery coursing up from inferiorly. Despite occlusion of this fistula, the vein was still arterialized. On further exploration, there was a large artery coming in to the subarachnoid space at the T11 level and coursing inferiorly, and entering the intradural pial AVM with a glomus of vessels located at the T12 level in the left anterolateral subpial aspect of the cord. This major artery as well as multiple smaller vessels going into it were cauterized and divided, and the AVM was totally excised. Postoperative angiogram showed complete excision of the nidus. At 1 mo follow-up, he had complete recovery of motor and bladder functions but bowel dysfunction persisted. He was independent for his daily activities. Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the surgery that included videotaping of the procedure and its distribution for educational purposes. All relevant patient identifiers have also been removed from the video and accompanying radiology slides.

Microsurgical Treatment of Recurrent Conus Medullaris Arteriovenous Malformation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) involving the conus medullaris have a unique angioarchitecture due to their involvement of the arterial basket of the conus medullaris, which represents an arterial anastomotic network between the anterior spinal artery (ASA) and posterior spinal arteries (PSAs) at the level of the conus medullaris.1 These lesions consist of a combination of a true AVM nidus, which is usually extramedullary, and direct shunts between the ASA, PSAs, and the venous system. Patients may present with radiculopathy, myelopathy, or subarachnoid hemorrhage.2A 40-yr-old woman status post T11-L1 laminoplasty for resection of a ruptured conus AVM 6 yr prior presented with routine follow-up angiography suggestive of an arteriovenous fistula. She was counseled regarding treatment options including endovascular embolization and microsurgical ligation or resection, and she elected to proceed with surgical treatment. At the time of surgery, a recurrent AVM was noted. A 2-dimensional intraoperative video illustrates the microsurgical treatment of her recurrent conus AVM. The patient recovered well postoperatively. Spinal angiography demonstrated complete obliteration of the lesion. The patient experienced transient urinary retention that was self-limited but otherwise was without any new neurological deficit. Due to the retrospective nature of this report, informed consent was not required.Video used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, all rights reserved.

Life of Gerard Blasius, and His Description of the Spinal Cord

Gerard Blasius (Blasius or Blaes) is a Dutch physician, chemist and anatomist. In this study, Gerard Blasius’ life, books and his contributions to neuroanatomy were researched. Blasius has written dozens of books. It is accepted that first important study of spinal cord is belong to Blasius. He depicted the horizontal section of the spinal cord and represented the white and gray matters in these drawings successfully. Besides, in these drawings, spinal ganglion, anterior median fissure, posterior median sulcus, brainstem, terminal filum, cerebellum, vertebral artery, anterior spinal artery and spinal dura mater are seen remarkably. In addition to being one of the leading scientists in anatomy, zootomy, botany and chemistry, Blasius’ description and drawing of spinal cord in detail must be seen as a success beyond the his time.

Anatomical Variation in Morphometry and Morphology of the Foramen Magnum and Occipital Condyle in Dried Adult Skulls.

The foramen magnum (FM) is the largest opening and is outlet through which medulla oblongata and spinal cord along with meninges, vertebral arteries, anterior and posterior spinal arteries, tectorial membrane, alar ligaments, and spinal branch of the accessory nerve. Occipital condyle (OC) is an important part of craniovertebral or craniocervical junction located anterolaterally on either side of the FM. The objective of the study was to assess variations of FM and OC in Ethiopian dried adult skulls. Observation-based descriptive study design was employed. The study was undertaken in 54 FM and 108 OC of 54 adult Ethiopian skulls. The morphometry of FM and OC were determined using a sliding vernier caliper. The mean values of anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the FM were 35.19 and 30.17 mm, respectively, and the mean area of the FM was 853.36 mm. The shapes of FM were determined as round in 22.2%, oval in 18.5%, egg like in 20.4%, triangular in 3.7%, pentagonal in 11.1%, hexagonal in 7.4%, irregular in 13%, and rectangular in 3.7% of the cases. The mean length of right and left OC was 25.69 and 26.96 mm, respectively, and the mean widths of the right and left OC were 12.76 and 13.04 mm, respectively. Our study identified various shapes of FM and diameter. The anteroposterior diameter is greater than the transverse diameter. The morphometric study of OC confirmed the length of left side is significantly greater than the right side.

Anterior spinal artery infarct in a young female mimicking tranverse myelitis

SLE affects 0.1% of the population and 50-60% SLE patients can have neurological involvement. Spinal cord infarction is a rare entity with an incidence of <1% of all strokes. We hereby report a case of a young female who was diagnosed with SLE, and who developed right foot drop, and paraparesis due to anterior spinal artery infarction which had clinically mimicked transverse myelitis.

Anterior spinal cord infarction as a complication of bronchial artery embolization in the management of recurrent hemoptysis

Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is an established minimally invasive approach for the treatment of massive or recurrent hemoptysis. There are several minor complications associated with the procedure. A rare complication of the procedure is spinal cord infarction due to embolization of anterior spinal artery. A 48-year-old male patient of old pulmonary tuberculosis presented with fibrocalcified lesions in the right upper lobe on chest X-ray and recurrent hemoptysis. Angiography revealed bleeding from a branch of single right intercostobranchial trunk. The day following the procedure, the patient complained of weakness and pain in lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging dorsolumbar spine revealed acute spinal cord infarct from D2 to D5 vertebral levels. This case demonstrates that spinal cord ischemia may occur during BAE, despite all the precautionary measures.

Spinal Cord Infarction in the Region of the Posterior Spinal Artery After Embolization for Vertebral Artery Dissection.

Endovascular surgery for vertebral artery dissections (VADs) carries the risk of spinal cord infarction (SCI). Although SCI in the region of the anterior spinal artery (ASA) has been reported, SCI in the region of the posterior spinal artery (PSA) is rare. To investigate PSA infarction after endovascular surgery for VAD. Infarction in the region of the PSA after endovascular surgery for VADs carried out in consecutive 21 cases was investigated. The variables of aneurysmal location, status, intra-aneurysmal thrombosis, antithrombotic therapy, and endovascular procedure were investigated in relation to the occurrence of spinal cord or brain stem infarction. Thirteen cases were unruptured aneurysms, and 8, ruptured aneurysms. The endovascular surgical method was internal trapping in 10 cases, stent-assisted coil embolization in 8 cases, and proximal occlusion (PO) in 3 cases. Periprocedural symptomatic infarction was detected in 4 of the 21 cases (19%): 3 SCIs and 1 lower medulla infarction, after 1 stent-assisted coil embolization and 3 PO. All 3 symptomatic SCIs were PSA infarction. On univariate analysis, the variables of posterior inferior cerebellar artery-involved-type, PO, and intraprocedural proximal flow arrest were significantly correlated with occurrence of PSA infarction. PSA infarction after endovascular surgery for VAD seems not to be a rare potential complication. Insufficiency of collateral blood flow and artery-to-artery embolism due to intraprocedural flow stagnation of the VA seem to be the possible mechanisms of PSA infarction in addition to previously reported mechanisms such as direct obliteration by the embolic materials and extended thrombosis of the VA stump.

Filtered back projection revisited in low-kilovolt computed tomography angiography: sharp filter kernel enhances visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz.

The reliability of assessment of the artery of Adamkiewicz before the aortic repair is highly dependent on the display of the continuity of this artery with the aorta, mainly around the vertebral pedicle, by computed tomography angiography (CTA). We hypothesized that the sharp filter kernel can improve visualization of this continuity of the vessel structure because of its edge enhancement and high-spatial resolution. This study was performed to compare the subjective and objective image quality of spinal CTA reconstructed with sharp and smooth filter kernels. We retrospectively reviewed 40 consecutive patients who had undergone 80-kV CTA to detect the artery of Adamkiewicz before aortic repair. We measured the CT number and the contrast-to-noise ratio of the anterior spinal artery to the spinal cord. Furthermore, the continuity of the artery of Adamkiewicz was evaluated using a 3-point scale (2 points, absolute; 0 points, undetectable). CTA with the sharp filter kernel showed a significantly higher CT number and contrast-to-noise ratio of the spinal artery than did CTA with the smooth filter kernel (P < .001 for both). Moreover, the sharp filter kernel showed a significantly higher continuity of the artery of Adamkiewicz with the aorta than did the smooth filter kernel (P < .001). The sharp filter kernel significantly improved the image quality in low-tube-voltage CTA for the assessment of the artery of Adamkiewicz. Thus, CTA with the sharp filter kernel can generate a high-confidence level in the evaluation of the artery of Adamkiewicz.

Angioarchitecture of Filum Terminale Arteriovenous Fistulas: Relationship with a Tethered Spinal Cord

Spinal arteriovenous fistulas at the filum terminale (filum AVFs) are rare. Treatment strategies have not yet been established, particularly for cases of filum AVF with lipoma. We report 7 cases of filum AVF with (n= 3) or without (n= 4) a tethered spinal cord by sacral terminal lipoma, with a focus on angiographic and operative findings. All 7 patients (median age, 73 years; range, 40-84 years; men: n= 5) presented with slowly progressive paraparesis, lower extremity sensory disturbances, and bladder/bowel disturbances. Filum AVFs were fed by the filum artery, the distal segment of the anterior spinal artery supplied from the artery of Adamkiewicz. The arteriovenous shunt was located at the filum terminale and drained via the ascending filum vein. In 3 patients with filum AVFs without lipoma, the artery of Adamkiewicz originated from the thoracic segmental artery. In contrast, in 3 patients with filum AVFs with lipoma, the artery of Adamkiewicz originated from the lower lumber or sacral artery because of low-lying conus medullaris. In all patients, filum AVFs were completely obliterated by microsurgical resection of the filum terminale including the arteriovenous fistula. Recurrence was not reported in the follow-up period (median, 64 months), except for 1 patient who required additional surgery because of complex neurovascular structures. Caution is needed when identifying the spinal level of occlusion of the fistula, particularly in cases of a tethered spinal cord by lipoma, because the feeding artery is associated with the artery of Adamkiewicz, which supplies the low-lying spinal cord in the sacral region.

Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome as Complication of Bronchial Artery Embolization

Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) has risen as one of the cornerstones of massive hemoptysis management. Though rare, spinal cord infarction is a potential complication. Here, we present a case of a 65 year old gentleman who presented with acute weakness and was diagnosed with spinal cord infarction following BAE. This case will also review the pathophysiology of this adverse complication.

Fusiform vertebral artery aneurysms involving the posterior inferior cerebellar artery origin associated with the sole angiographic anterior spinal artery origin: technical case report and treatment paradigm proposal.

Fusiform aneurysms of the vertebral artery (VA) involving the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) origin are uncommon and challenging. The anterior spinal artery (ASA) commonly originates from a unilateral ramus just distal to the PICA. Occlusion of an unpaired ASA can result in bilateral medial medullary syndrome. The authors propose a treatment paradigm for ASA preservation based on the artery's proximity to fusiform VA aneurysms, and they present 3 representative cases. In the first case, they performed a V3-PICA bypass using an interposition graft and then performed endovascular coil embolization of the parent VA. A complete occlusion of the aneurysm and VA was complicated by ASA thrombosis. The subsequent cases were treated with PICA-PICA bypass and subsequent endovascular embolization of the VA. Filling of the sole angiographic ASA remote from the aneurysm was preserved in both cases. The anatomy of the ASA is the most critical determinant of treatment recommendations for fusiform VA aneurysms involving PICA. When the ASA originates from the aneurysm, proximal occlusion with or without a PICA bypass is suggested. In cases in which the ASA is removed from the aneurysm, the authors recommend revascularization followed by endovascular sacrifice. When the aneurysm is immediately adjacent to the ASA, revascularization and open trapping should be considered.

Spinal cord infarction with ipsilateral segmental neuropathic pain and flaccid paralysis. A functional role for human afferent ventral root small sensory fibres

This paper illustrates the cases of two patients with an acute onset of right brachial neuropathic pain, flaccid paralysis and contralateral thermal and thermal pain hypoesthesia, without posterior column impairment nor pyramidal signs below the segmental lesion. MRI showed right sided spinal cord infarction, in the anterior spinal artery territory between C1 and C5 in one patient and between C3 and C7 in the other. Contact Heat Evoked Potentials and Quantitative Thermal Sensory testing are consistent with contralateral, but not ipsilateral, spinothalamic tract involvement. Electromyographic results established ipsilateral segmental denervation and somatosensory evoked responses were consistent with dorsal column sparing.Unilateral anterior cervical spinal cord infarction may present with acute ipsilateral segmental neuropathic pain, lower motor neurone-type weakness, contralateral thermoanalgesia and no pyramidal signs. The ipsilateral pain provides novel evidence that in some instances, ventral roots can play a role in nociception in humans. The infarcted territory may result from occlusion of a sulcal commissural artery or a number of more proximal vessels (including a single or duplicated anterior spinal artery, vertebral arteries or feeding radicular arteries).