Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38818241›Full record

ArticleBMJ neurology open2024

Spontaneous spinal cord infarction: a systematic review.

Maria Gharios, Vasilios Stenimahitis, Victor Gabriel El-Hajj, Omar Ali Mahdi, Alexander Fletcher-Sandersjöö, Pascal Jabbour, Magnus Andersson, Claes Hultling, Adrian Elmi-Terander, Erik Edström

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ neurology open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

17 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Observational
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  9. Article
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  11. Article
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  14. Review
  15. Article
  16. Hypotension-Induced Transverse Spinal Cord Ischemia.European journal of case reports in internal medicine · 2025
    Article
  17. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Maria GhariosDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Vasilios StenimahitisDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Victor Gabriel El-HajjDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0001-9479-761X
Omar Ali MahdiDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Alexander Fletcher-SandersjööDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Pascal JabbourDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1544-4910
Magnus AnderssonDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Claes HultlingDepartment of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Adrian Elmi-TeranderDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-3776-6136
Erik EdströmDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and objectives: Spontaneous spinal cord infarction (SCInf) is a rare condition resulting in acute neurological impairment. Consensus on diagnostic criteria is lacking, which may present a challenge for the physician. This review aims to analyse the current literature on spontaneous SCInf, focusing on epidemiology, the diagnostic process, treatment strategies and neurological outcomes. Methods: The study was performed in accordance with a previously published protocol. PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched using the keywords 'spontaneous', 'spinal cord', 'infarction' and 'ischaemic'. The eligibility of studies was evaluated in two steps by multiple reviewers. Data from eligible studies were extracted and systematically analysed. Results: 440 patients from 33 studies were included in this systematic review. Analysis of vascular risk factors showed that hypertension was present in 40%, followed by smoking in 30%, dyslipidaemia in 29% and diabetes in 16%. The severity of symptoms at admission according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale was score A 19%, score B14%, score C36% and score D32%. The mean follow-up period was 34.8 (±12.2) months. ASIA score at follow-up showed score A 11%, score B 3%, score C 16%, score D 67% and score E 2%. The overall mortality during the follow-up period was 5%. When used, MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) supported the diagnosis in 81% of cases. At follow-up, 71% of the patients were able to walk with or without walking aids. Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant role for vascular risk factors in the pathophysiology of spontaneous SCInf. In the diagnostic workup, the use of DWI along with an MRI may help in confirming the diagnosis. The findings at follow-up suggest that neurological recovery is to be expected, with the majority of patients regaining ambulation. This systematic review highlights gaps in the literature and underscores the necessity for further research to establish diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines.

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Identifiers

PMID38818241
PMCPMC11138300

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.