[Lesions of the spinal cord and spinal roots in human immunodeficiency virus infection] NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


[Lesions of the spinal cord and spinal roots in human immunodeficiency virus infection]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 1990;146(11):655-64. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/91173185
Gray F; Gherardi R; Departement de Pathologie (Neuropathologie), Hopital Henri; Mondor, Creteil.

Abstract: Spinal cord lesions, although far less frequent than brain lesions, are not uncommon in AIDS. Almost all diffuse or multifocal pathological processes involving the central nervous system and/or leptomeninges may also affect the spinal cord. However, some of them involve it predominantly causing specific, clinically overt, myelopathic diseases. The most characteristic of these is vacuolar myelopathy which usually manifests as progressive spastic ataxia. Its incidence varies in different pathological series and its pathogenesis is still controversial. Acute meningomyeloradiculitis in AIDS patients presents a remarkably uniform and distinct clinical and cerebrospinal fluid profile although they might be due to various causes including cytomegalovirus infection, syphilis, mycobacterial infection or leptomeningeal malignancy. Tumoral focal syndromes have exceptionally been recorded due to epidural lymphomas, intraspinal gliomas or toxoplasma abscesses. Spinal cord ischemic lesions have been documented in two cases: they were related to inflammatory lesions of the blood vessels in one case and to diffuse intravascular coagulation in the other. An ascending myelitis syndrome, secondary to spinal cord infection by both herpes simplex virus type 2 and cytomegalovirus, without significant vasculitis has also been reported.
Keywords: English Abstract Human HIV Infections/COMPLICATIONS/*PATHOLOGY Polyradiculitis/ETIOLOGY/PATHOLOGY Spinal Cord Diseases/ETIOLOGY/*PATHOLOGY Spinal Nerve Roots/*PATHOLOGY Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Syndrome JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, MULTICASEKWDenglishabstracthumanhivinfections/complications/KWDpathologypolyradiculitis/etiology/pathologyspinalcorddiseases/etiology/KWDpathologyspinalnerveroots/KWDpathologysupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tsyndromejournalarticlereviewreview,multicase
910630
M9160549

Copyright © 1991 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1991. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1991. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .