Drugs include baclofen, tizanidine, and diazepam. Pain following spinal cord hemorrhage, other than pain directly secondary to spasticity, is treated similarly to neuropathic pain syndromes secondary to multiple sclerosis. Drugs include gabapentin, amitriptyline, and carbamazepine. Bladder complications of spinal cord hemorrhage are similar to those of spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. Consultation with a urologist may be necessary.
Prognosis varies but generally is correlated with severity of deficit.
A more favorable outcome is seen in patients receiving prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention. The hypointensity reflects deoxyhemoglobin and the hyperintensity reflects either early hemorrhage or edema. There is also distraction of the C 6 vertebral body from C 7 with extensive ligamentous injury. Photo courtesy of Francis G. Greiner, M.D., Department of Radiology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Spinal cord vascular disease.