Vascular Diseases of the Spinal Cord: A Review

aEuro cent In acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome (ASCIS), treatment recommendations are derived from data of cerebral ischemic stroke, atherosclerotic vascular disease and acute spinal cord injury. Besides acute management, secondary prevention is of major importance. Pathologies affecting the aorta as well as underlying cerebrovascular conditions should be treated whenever possible. aEuro cent ASCIS may occur after aortic surgery, less often after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Protocols are proposed. aEuro cent Acute spinal cord hemorrhage can be treated surgically and/or pharmacologically. aEuro cent Symptomatic treatment in patients with a spinal cord lesion is of major importance. Depending on level and extension of the lesion, there is a risk for systemic and neurological complications, which may be life-threatening. aEuro cent Each spinal vascular malformation is a unique lesion that needs an individualized treatment algorithm. In case of a symptomatic vascular malformation, endovascular intervention is the primary treatment option. aEuro cent Spinal dural Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) may be treated endovascularly or surgically. If preoperative localization of the fistula is possible, surgery is feasible with a low complication rate. In comparison, endovascular approaches are less invasive. aEuro cent Spinal AVM are rather treated endovascularly than surgically or in a stepwise multidisciplinary approach. aEuro cent Symptomatic and exophytic spinal cavernous angiomas should be treated surgically. Deep spinal cavernous angiomas that are asymptomatic or only show mild symptoms can be observed.