Anterior cord syndrome

Background

Spinal cord tracts

• Etiology
  • Direct anterior cord compression
  • Hyperflexion injury of cervical spine
  • Thrombosis of anterior spinal artery

Clinical Features

• • Paraplegia below level of lesion
  • Preservation of modalities carried by dorsal columns ie vibration, proprioception

Differential Diagnosis

Spinal Cord Syndromes

• Complete spinal cord transection syndrome
• Anterior cord syndrome
• Central cord syndrome
• Brown-Séquard syndrome
• Epidural compression syndromes
  • Spinal cord compression (non-traumatic)
  • Cauda equina syndrome
  • Conus medullaris syndrome
  • Epidural abscess (spinal)
  • Epidural hematoma (spinal)

Management

• Poor prognosis