11. Diagnosing spinal lesions

Question 1

Neurological examination

Answer 1

1) Test sensory & motor functions to rule out spinal cord injury
2) If neck pain, not fully awake or has obvious signs of weak. or neurological injury => emergency diagnostic tests
3) A few days after injury, a neurological exam to determine the level & completeness of injury. Test mus. strength & ability to sense light touch & a pinprick.

Question 2

Imaging (emergency diagnostic tests)

Answer 2

CT

• Better look at abn. than in X-ray.
• Define bone, disc and other problems.
• Level of density of tissue can be seen (swelling).

X-ray

• Suspected of having a spinal cord injury after trauma.
• Reveal vertebral (spinal column) problems, tumors, fractures or degenerative changes in the spine.

MRI

• Looking at spinal cord and identifying herniated discs, blood clots or other masses that may be compressing the spinal cord.
• The difference between normal and abnormal is clearer