J Cardiovasc Interv.  2024 Jan;3(1):29-33. 10.54912/jci.2023.0015.

Spinal Cord Infarction Mistaken for Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case Report

• Jeon BK
• Kang IS

• KMID: 2560956
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.54912/jci.2023.0015

Abstract

Spinal cord infarction is an uncommon form of spinal cord injury, and the diversity of its symptoms makes timely diagnosis difficult. Here, we present a case of spinal cord infarction mistaken for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at initial evaluation. An 85-year-old man presented at the emergency department with chest pain. Initial electrocardiogram showed T-wave inversion, poor R-wave progression, and slightly elevated cardiac marker levels. Coronary angiography showed an intermediate lesion in the anterior descending artery, and percutaneous coronary intervention was deferred based on the fractional flow reserve results. After admission, the patient complained of voiding difficulties and progressive weakness in the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal spinal cord infarction from T5 to T7. Although the initial clinical presentation of spinal cord infarction is similar to an ACS, the neurologic deficits and imaging studies help to distinguish it.

Keyword

Chest pain; Acute coronary syndrome; Spinal cord ischemia