Associates' Presentations
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Cocaine induced anterior spinal artery infarction.

Brian Erdman, M.D. (Associate), Sinai Samaritan Medical Center.

Cocaine induced anterior spinal artery infarction has not been cited in previous literature although the cerebrovascular events related to cocaine are well established. Spinal cord infarction is a rare cause of acute paraplegia and is most commonly associated with aortic atherosclerosis. Less common causes include trauma, hypotension, mass effect, myelitis, cardioembolic disease, iodinated contrast neurotoxicity, aorto-iliac procedures, arteriovenous malformations, and decompression sickness. Hereditary causes of anterior spinal artery infarction have also been hypothesized. Presented here is a case report of a 45 year old daughter of an acquired paraplegic who presented with acute onset paralysis and sensory losses in both lower extremities after smoking crack cocaine. The diagnosis of anterior spinal artery infarction in an otherwise healthy cocaine abuser suggests causality. The prevalence of anterior spinal infarction is extremely low such that its occurrence in two first degree family members would suggest a familial tendency.

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