https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2026.14635
Early recognition and coordinated care in spinal cord infarction recovery
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Published: 26 May 2026
Spinal Cord Infarction (SCI) is a rare condition lacking standardized acute treatment guidelines. We report the case of a 23-year-old woman on estrogen-progestin therapy who presented with sudden-onset paraplegia and sensory loss below L4. Despite a normal initial spinal MRI, clinical suspicion of spinal cord ischemia led to intravenous thrombolysis within 4 hours. Aortic CT angiography excluded dissection. The patient achieved complete neurological recovery. Multidisciplinary emergency collaboration—neurology, emergency medicine, radiology, nursing, and technicians—was essential to the outcome. Follow-up MRI confirmed anterior cord lesions at D11–D12. This case underscores the value of clinical judgment, rapid team-based management, and suggests that IV thrombolysis may be a reasonable option in selected SCI cases, pending further evidence.
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CRediT authorship contribution
The authors contributed equally to the present paper.
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