Atrophy or degenerative

Question 1

What can any long term to the spinal cord result in? How does this present?

Answer 1

• death of axons or cell bodies
• presents as atrophy (shrinkage of the spinal cord) and progressive spinal cord dysfunction

Question 2

What other type of condition can present with progressive spinal cord dysfunction?

Answer 2

• some degenerative conditions that result in primary neuronal death

Question 3

For atrophic conditions, what can happen if the underlying pathology is removed?

Answer 3

• neurological status may be stable and not progressively deteriorate

Question 4

Progression of degenerative conditions

Answer 4

• pathology is usually insidiously progressive in neurological dysfunction

Question 5

Is dysfunction from atrophy or degeneration treatable?

Answer 5

• no