Vascular myelopathy

Vascular myelopathy
SpecialtyNeurology Edit this on Wikidata
Complicationsnecrosis

Vascular myelopathy (vascular disease of the spinal cord) refers to an abnormality of the spinal cord in regard to its blood supply.[1] The blood supply is complicated and supplied by two major vessel groups: the posterior spinal arteries and the anterior spinal arteries—of which the Artery of Adamkiewicz is the largest.[2] Both the posterior and anterior spinal arteries run the entire length of the spinal cord and receive anastomotic (conjoined) vessels in many places. The anterior spinal artery has a less efficient supply of blood and is therefore more susceptible to vascular disease. Whilst atherosclerosis of spinal arteries is rare, necrosis (death of tissue) in the anterior artery can be caused by disease in vessels originating from the segmental arteries such as atheroma (arterial wall swelling) or aortic dissection (a tear in the aorta).[3]

  1. ^ Caragine LP, Halbach VV, Ng PP, Dowd CF (June 2002). "Vascular myelopathies-vascular malformations of the spinal cord: presentation and endovascular surgical management". Semin Neurol. 22 (2): 123–32. doi:10.1055/s-2002-36535. PMID 12524557. S2CID 23545961. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  2. ^ Milen MT, Bloom DA, Culligan J, Murasko K (1999). "Albert Adamkiewicz (1850-1921)--his artery and its significance for the retroperitoneal surgeon" (PDF). World Journal of Urology. 17 (3): 168–70. doi:10.1007/s003450050126. hdl:2027.42/42166. PMID 10418091. S2CID 27300660.
  3. ^ Lindsay, Kenneth W; Ian Bone; Robin Callander; J. van Gijn (1991). Neurology and Neurosurgery Illustrated. United States: Churchill Livingstone. pp. 403–407. ISBN 0-443-04345-0.