Snake eye appearance - residue of compressive myelopathy post surgical decompression

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell , 20 Jan 2017
Diagnosis certain
Changed by Henry Knipe, 30 Jan 2023
Disclosures - updated 16 Jan 2023:
  • Integral Diagnostics, Shareholder (ongoing)
  • Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (ongoing)

Updates to Case Attributes

Title was changed:
Old snake eyes:Snake eye appearance - residue of compressive myelopathy post surgical decompression
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Snake eye appearance (SEA) is a result of severe long-standing compression of the cervical spinal cord (usually due to spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudonal ligament).  It is characterizedcharacterised by cystic necrosis leading to cystic myelomalacia and is thought to have an ischaemic (venous) as well as compressive aetiology.  The cystic change is symmetrical and involves the mid-cord grey matter, conferring a poor prognosis by way of muscle weakness recovery following surgical decompression.

  • -<p>Snake eye appearance (SEA) is a result of severe long-standing compression of the cervical spinal cord (usually due to spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudonal ligament).  It is characterized by cystic necrosis leading to cystic myelomalacia and is thought to have an ischaemic (venous) as well as compressive aetiology.  The cystic change is symmetrical and involves the mid-cord grey matter, conferring a poor prognosis by way of muscle weakness recovery following surgical decompression.</p>
  • +<p>Snake eye appearance (SEA) is a result of severe long-standing compression of the cervical spinal cord (usually due to spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudonal ligament).  It is characterised by cystic necrosis leading to cystic myelomalacia and is thought to have an ischaemic (venous) as well as compressive aetiology.  The cystic change is symmetrical and involves the mid-cord grey matter, conferring a poor prognosis by way of muscle weakness recovery following surgical decompression.</p>
Age changed from 70 to 70 years.

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Old snake eyes: residue of compressive myelopathy post surgical decompression
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