Vascular Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

The book summarizes the anatomic guidelines of external blood supply to the spinal cord. The basic principles of arterial supply and venous drainage are illustrated by explicit schemes for quick orientation. In the first part of the book, systematic radiologic-anatomic investigations of the superficial and deep vessels of all segments of the spinal cord are introduced. The microvascular morphology is portrayed by numerous microradiographic sections in all three dimensions without overshadowing. The excellent three-dimensional representation of the vascular architecture illustrates elementary outlines and details of arterial territories, anastomotic cross-linking as well as the capillary system, particularly the hitherto unknown structure of the medullary venous system with its functionally important anastomoses and varying regional structures. These often new radiologic-anatomic findings are discussed as to their functional and pathophysiologic impact and constitute the basic on which to improve our modest understanding of vascular syndromes of the spinal cord. The neurosurgeon as well as the neuroradiologist familiar with endovascular techniques are offered information on microvascular morphology necessary for interventions at the spinal cord. The second part of the book focuses on clinical syndromes and illustrates the present diagnostic contribution of spinal angiography with special reference to the diagnosis of spinal vascular anomalies and arteriovenous malformations. Though widely underrated in the past, the pathogenetic role of the spinal venous system in direct or indirect circulatory disorders of the spinal cord is emphasized. The book fills an obvious void both from a pathologic-anatomic and a clinical point of view, and should therefore attract every physician remotely interested in neurology.