Lumbar artery compression by the diaphragmatic crus: A new etiology for spinal cord ischemia

We describe a new cause of spinal cord ischemia illustrated by two cases—compression by the diaphragmatic crus of a lumbar artery giving rise to a spinal artery. The diagnosis has been established by dynamic spinal angiography, showing complete occlusion of the lumbar artery. Surgical section of the diaphragmatic crus prevents irreversible infarction. Ann Neurol 2000;48:261–264