Abstract
We described a case of spinal cord infarction with sudden onset of paralysis. The patient was a 80-year-old male with a history of rectal cancer, colon cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm. He developed sudden intense backache and weakness in both legs. In the Th8 conus medullaris, T2-weighted MR imaging showed a high-intensity signal. We diagnosed spinal cord infarction, and started steroid pulse therapy, which resulted in partial recovery.
Spinal cord infarction is a condition that develops rapidly, with a prodrome of backache, dissociated sensory disturbance and urination disorder, without any compressive spinal cord lesion. This case was diagnosed on the basis of the above symptom and findings of MRI scan. We consider that spinal cord infarction should be considered in patients who develop unexpected intensive backache and flaccid palsy.
