Case report: Medulla oblongata and cervical cord reperfusion injury after intracranial vertebral artery angioplasty and stenting

Guiping Wang; Bo Zuo; Jia Jia; Jinlong Huang; Gangming Xi; Zhigang Yang

doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1097252

Frontiers in Neurology (May 2023)

Case report: Medulla oblongata and cervical cord reperfusion injury after intracranial vertebral artery angioplasty and stenting

Guiping Wang,
Bo Zuo,
Jia Jia,
Jinlong Huang,
Gangming Xi,
Zhigang Yang

Affiliations

Guiping Wang: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Bo Zuo: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Jia Jia: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Jinlong Huang: Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Gangming Xi: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Zhigang Yang: Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1097252
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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BackgroundWhite cord syndrome is an uncommon complication characterized by delayed neurologic deterioration with no other identified cause after spinal decompression surgery. Its etiology is attributed to spinal cord reperfusion injury. Here, we present the first case of an extended version of white cord syndrome, with concomitant involvement of the medulla oblongata and cervical cord reperfusion injury after intracranial vertebral artery angioplasty and stenting.Case presentationA 56-year-old male suffered an ischemic stroke in the right anteromedial medulla oblongata. Angiography revealed bilateral vertebral artery stenosis in the intracranial segment. We performed elective left vertebral artery angioplasty and stenting. An intraoperative flow arrest in the left VA occurred and was stopped after the withdrawal of the catheter. Several hours after the operation, the patient developed occipital headache, back neck pain, dysarthria, and worsening left-sided hemiplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintensity and swelling in the medulla oblongata and cervical cord, in addition to small medullary infarction. A digital subtraction angiography revealed intact vertebrobasilar arteries and patency of the left vertebral artery, left posterior inferior cerebellar artery, and implanted stent. We considered that the reperfusion injury had caused the complication. After treatment, the patient’s symptoms and neurologic deficits greatly improved. He achieved a favorable outcome at the 1-year follow-up, with normal intensity restored in the medulla oblongata and cervical cord on magnetic resonance imaging.ConclusionConcomitant reperfusion injury in the medulla oblongata and cervical cord secondary to vertebral artery angioplasty and stenting is extremely rare. However, this potentially devastating complication requires early recognition and prompt treatment. Maintaining the antegrade flow during vertebral artery endovascular treatment is a precaution against reperfusion injury.

Published in Frontiers in Neurology

ISSN: 1664-2295 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/

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