Subacute Traumatic Ascending Myelopathy in a 28-Year-Old Man: A Rare Case

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Subacute posttraumatic ascending myelopathy (SPAM) involves the rise in high signal intensity on T2-weighted images >= 4 vertebral segments above the initial injured site, and it usually occurs within the first few weeks after the injury. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of traumatic spinal cord damage are not clearly understood; however, there are some pathophysiologic processes such as arterial thrombosis, venous thrombosis, congestive ischemia, inflammatory or autoimmune reaction, and infection in the form of meningitis or myelitis that could lead to SPAM.