:
Cobb Syndrome (Spinal Arteriovenous Metameric Syndrome 1-31 (SAMS 1-31)) is a rare, non-hereditary
disorder. Approximately 100 cases of CS have been described to date. The actual incidence may be much higher since only
symptomatic patients were documented. In particular, post mortem studies suggest a possibly higher incidence of this
syndrome. The main clinical manifestations of this syndrome include skin stains of vascular nature on the torso, in
combination with spinal vascular malformations localized in one and the same metameric or spinal segment. A rare
diagnosis of this syndrome in patients over 18 is probably related to the fact that the disease may be asymptomatic
throughout a long period of time [3], while patients may tend to disregard the skin lesions [5,6]. As a result, most
publications on this pathology are based on separate case reports [7-9].
Significant variability of clinical manifestations as well as prolonged progress of the disease often cause errors in diagnosis.
What follows is a case report of a young patient with Cobb Syndrome, who was admitted to a regional vascular centre with
a misdiagnosis of stroke.
20 patients of young age (from 20 to 35 years old), with a diagnosis of stroke, who were admitted to a University Clinic (of
the Russian National Research Medical University Named After Pirogov N.I., Moscow). Among this group of patients, a
patient with Cobb syndrome was identified. Patient P., of 22 years, presented with acute, intensive cervical spinal pain,
predominantly on the right, numbness and weakness in the arms and legs. About 3 weeks before admission to the hospital
the patient had ARVI with a fever of up to 37.5°C: two weeks before the onset of symptoms he had undergone extirpation of
2 teeth, for which reason he spent over 2 hours in a forced position with his head thrown back (prolonged overextension in
the cervical spine). Multiple skin angiomas on the chest spreading to the shoulder and scapula region. Tetraparesis up to 4
points: tetraparesis in hands with low muscle tone, low reflexes, tetraparesis in legs with high muscle tone, high reflexes.
Foot clonus when causing Achilles reflexes. Tremor in the extremities. No plantar reflex pathology detected. Sensitivity
disorders in the hands – "the high gloves". No pelvic disorders detected. Given the presence and exacerbation of
neurological symptoms and cutaneous angiomas MRI with contrast agent of the cervical spine was recommended. MRimage of an advanced arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the cervical spinal cord with signs of gliosis and spinal cord
oedema at the С2 – С7 level. Endovascular embolization of the AVM in cervical spinal cord was performed. The treatment
led to complete reversal of neurological symptoms. In the presence of skin lesions the diagnosis of CS does not present
particular difficulties, so in children and young patients with skin angiomatosis it is advisable to conduct a comprehensive
examination using selective spinal angiography or MR angiography to exclude arteriovenous malformations in spinal cord.
Towards improved precision and a new classification of diabetes mellitus
