| Posterior spinal artery syndrome | |
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| 5: posterior spinal arteries |
Posterior spinal artery syndrome(PSAS), also known asposterior spinal cord syndrome, is a type of incompletespinal cord injury.[1] PSAS is the least commonly occurring of thesix clinical spinal cord injury syndromes, with an incidence rate of less than 1%.
PSAS originates from aninfarct in theposterior spinal artery and is caused bylesions on the posterior portion of the spinal cord, specifically theposterior column,posterior horn, and posterolateral region of thelateral column.[2] These lesions can be caused by trauma to the neck,occlusion of the spinal artery, tumors, disc compression,vitamin B12 deficiency,syphilis, ormultiple sclerosis.[3] Despite these numerous pathological pathways, the result is an interruption in transmission of sensory information and motor commands from the brain to the periphery.
Trauma to the spinal cord, such as neckhyperflexion injuries, are often the result of car accidents or sports-related injuries. In such injuries, posterior dislocations and extensions occur without the rupture of ligaments. This blunt trauma may be further complicated with subsequent disc compression. In addition to these complications, transientischemic attacks could occur in the spinal cord during spinal artery occlusion.[4]
Common pathological sources of PSAS includeFriedreich's Ataxia, anautosomal-recessive inherited disease, and tumors such asastrocytoma,ependymoma,meningioma,neurofibroma,sarcoma, andschwannoma.[citation needed]
Cobalamin, commonly known as vitamin B12, plays a crucial role in the synthesis and maintenance ofmyelin in neurons found in the spinal cord. A deficiency of this essential vitamin results indemyelination, a deterioration of theaxon's layer of insulation causing interrupted signal transmission, with a currently unknown specificity to the posterior region.[5]
PSAS may develop with the failure to treat syphilis. Symptoms typically appear during the tertiary phase of the disease, between twenty and thirty years after the initial syphilis infection. Failure to treat syphilis leads to progressive degeneration of thenerve roots and posterior columns. The bacteriaTreponema pallidum that causes syphilis results inlocomotor ataxia andtabes dorsalis. Further complications from tabes dorsalis includeoptic nerve damage,blindness, shooting pains,urinary incontinence, and degeneration of the joints.[6]
In most cases, lesions present bilaterally. However, in rare cases, lesions have been seen unilaterally.[2] Moreover, general symptoms of posterior spinal artery infarcts include ipsilateral loss ofproprioceptive sensation, fine touch, pressure, and vibration below the lesion; deep tendonareflexia; and in severe circumstances, complete paralysis below the portion of the spinal cord affected.[1]
Complete spinal imaging,X-rays,computed tomography (CT), ormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identifyinfarctions on thedorsal columns.[6] Imaging alone is often inconclusive and does not present a full analysis of the affected columns. Clinical history, blood andcerebral spinal fluid (CSF) tests can also be used to make a full diagnosis.[1]
Treatment for posterior spinal artery syndrome depends on the causes and symptoms, as well as the source of the infarction. The main goal of treatment is to stabilize the spine. Possible treatments include airwayadjuncts; the use ofventilators; full spinal precautions and immobilization; and injections ofdopamine.[6][7] While there is no definitive cure forposterior cord syndrome, treatment and supportive care can be provided based on the patient's symptoms. Therapy and rehabilitative care including walking aids, physical, occupational, and psychotherapy can help ease the symptoms associated with PSAS. Acute therapy can include intensive medical care andanalgesia.Corticosteroids are used to reduce any inflammation or swelling. Bracing or surgical repair can be done to stabilize the spinal fracture.[8]
It has been difficult to make any breakthroughs in diagnosis and/or treatment of PSAS as symptoms are not specific in nature and can vary based on the exact location of spinal cord lesions. In addition, the demographics of patients with PSAS are widespread as the onset of symptoms typically follows a traumatic event. Additionally, research has suffered setbacks because PSAS is rare with few documented cases, unlikeanterior spinal artery syndrome.[1][3][9]
However, ongoing research has helped in differentiating PSAS from other brain injuries. Therefore, better therapies for PSAS treatment can be developed. For instance, one study suggests that atissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy intervention, commonly used in stroke patients,[10] may aid in treating patients with symptoms of PSAS.[11]