Spinal cord vascular malformations are tangles of extra blood vessels inside or around the spinal cord that short-circuit normal blood flow. Because the cord needs steady oxygen, even a small traffic jam of arteries and veins can start a chain of warning signs that come and go at first, then settle in for good. Sudden back pain is the headline symptom. Patients often describe a sharp, electric jolt that starts between the shoulder blades or low in the neck and shoots down an arm or leg. The pain peaks within seconds, fades over minutes, and may return weeks later with... Learn more