Spinal cord infarct caused from suspected fibrocartilaginous embolism.

Authors :: Alkhachroum AM
Weiss D
Lerner A
De Georgia MA
Source :: Spinal cord series and cases [Spinal Cord Ser Cases] 2017 May 18; Vol. 3, pp. 17027. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 May 18 (Print Publication: 2017).
Publication Year :: 2017
Abstract: Introduction: We report a case of spinal cord infarct as a result of suspected fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE).<br />Case Presentation: A 23-year-old man presented with sudden onset cervical and upper back pain followed by progressive weakness in his extremities after throwing a baseball. History, neurologic examination and spinal cord imaging were consistent with spinal cord infarct. We believe the cause was from FCE.<br />Discussion: Though rare, physicians should be familiar with this diagnosis and the proposed mechanisms. There is no specific treatment for FCE-related spinal cord infarct and long-term prognosis is largely dependent on the degree of spinal cord injury.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.