Spontaneous conus medullary infarction in the absence of cardiovascular risk factors

Spinal cord infarction (SCI) is a rare but devastating disease that occurs in association with trauma or predisposing cardiovascular risk factors. Since clinical presentation is variable, it remains a diagnostic challenge in patients without risk factors, often mistaken for other diseases. Delay in diagnosis of SCI can result in missed treatment opportunities and contributes to the high case fatality rate. This case report examines the case of a 42-year-old man with no significant past medical history who presented with clinical symptoms of spinal cord compression secondary to acute SCI in the setting of heavy lifting.