Fatal spinal cord infarction caused by fibrocartilaginous embolization of the anterior spinal artery.

A fatal case of massive infarction of the cervical cord caused by fibrocartilaginous embolization of the anterior spinal artery in a 22 year old woman is reported. The source of such emboli is believed to be intervertebral disc material, but the pathogenesis of this entity is obscure. The previously reported 10 cases are reviewed and the clinical and pathological features summarized, showing that this unusual condition seems to affect females predominantly. The cervical cord is the most common site of involvement. The importance of multiple sections from various levels of the spinal cord and the application of special stains in order to determine the cause of spinal cord infarction are emphasized.