Acute arterial infarction of the spinal cord

**Definition:** Acute arterial infarction of the spinal cord is due to occlusion of the anterior or posterior spinal arteries or their branches. Classical anterior spinal artery occlusion in the watershed zone in the lower cervical cord causes a specific cord syndrome with sparing of the posterior segment of the cord. Associated aortic atherosclerotic disease as well as dissection should not be overlooked.