5th International Conference on Neuroscience and Mental Health

Małgorzata Wiszniewska, professor at the Academy of Applied Sciences in Pila, Department of Emergency Medical Services, specialist neurologist, head of the Department of Neurology with the Stroke Subunit at the Specialist Hospital Pila, Poland. In 1980, she completed her medical studies at the Faculty of Medicine at the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. Until 1992, she worked in the Department of Neurology at the Regional Hospital in Torun. Since 1993, she has been working at the Specialist Hospital in Pila. In 1992, she obtained her doctorate in medical sciences from the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw. In 2010, she obtained her habilitation degree at the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw based on the dissertation "Are there differences in ischemic strokes between women and men?" She completed three research internships at the Neurological Clinic of the University of Lausanne. She participated in the development of all editions of Polish guidelines on stroke management. She organises training for doctors, nurses, and paramedics in the field of stroke. The unit headed by her has repeatedly received international awards from the Angels initiative. She lectures at the Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy. She publishes papers on stroke and general neurology. She presents various scientific and clinical issues at scientific conferences in Poland and abroad. She is a member of neurological societies.

Background: Spinal Cord Ischemia (SCI) is a relatively rare disease, being diagnosed 100 times less of ten in comparison to cerebral stroke. The knowledge as to its root causes, proper treatment for it and long-term prognosis is still inconclusive. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) is a main tool with which to confirm SCI and rule out a broad spectrum of possible alternative diagnoses. SCI is a condition in which prompt recognition, accurate diagnostic steps, and reperfusion therapy are essential to ensure a desirable functional outcome and reduce mortality and disability. Although there are no specific guidelines regarding treatment

Methods: I present two male patients with ischaemia of the spinal cord in the cervical region: one aged 61 without risk factors, the other 45 -year-old patient with multiple risk factors, who were treated with intravenous thrombolytic therapy using recombinant plasminogen activator (Actilyse). In the older patient, an additional neurosurgical procedure for decompression of the anterior spinal artery was performed following thrombolytic treatment.

Results: The patient who received combined treatment achieved nearly complete recovery of full function within six weeks of the onset of illness, and after three and a half months, returned to work in a position requiring hand dexterity. The younger patient, burdened with multiple stroke risk factors, was treated solely with thrombolysis, and no significant improvement was achieved—he continues to experience quadriparesis.

Conclusion: SCI is a rare condition, but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In selected cases, intravenous thrombolysis may be considered in the absence of contraindications. If indicated, neurosurgical intervention should also be performed without delay. This approach may contribute to functional recovery.