Ischemic myelopathy is a rare and uncommon disease than the cerebral ischemia. Ischemia of spinal cord usually occur in the midthoracic regions (T4-T8). The major arteries supplying spinal cord are anterior and posterior spinal arteries. Anterior spinal artery is more responsible for the ischemic change of the spinal cord. We report a 45 years old man with ischemia of the spinal cord and acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis following the heavy alcohol ingestion. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 631-634)

Ischemic myelopahty of spinal cord after cardiac arrest is rarely reported. In general brain stem and spinal cord is less vulnerable to ischemic injury than cerebrum and cerebellum. Ischemic myelopathy usually occurs in the midthoracic region (T3∼T8) and rarely reported after cardiac arrest.

In this case previously healthy 62 year old patient suffered from cardiac arrhythmia for a few days and then developed cardiac arrest and sustained paraplegia due to ASIA class B spinal cord injury. After paraplegia MRI showed predominant involvement of the anterior horn cell area in the midthoracic region.