BMB 1 - Miscellaneous Clinical Correlates

Question 1

Describe the generic signs of upper motor neuron injury.

Answer 1

Spasticity

Weakness

+ Babinski

Clasp-knife sign

Increased deep-tendon reflexes

Question 2

Describe the generic signs of lower motor neuron injury.

Answer 2

Hypotonia

Weakness

Fasciculations

Decreased deep-tendon reflexes

• Babinski

Question 3

____ / 5 is normal for strength.

____ / 5 is pretty serious motor dysfunction.

Answer 3

5 / 5 is normal for strength.

3 / 5 is pretty serious motor dysfunction.

Question 4

___+ is normal for reflexes.

(But, ________y is what to watch out for most.)

Answer 4

2+ is normal for reflexes.

(But, asymmetry is what to watch out for most.)

Question 5

Name the term given to neurological issues due to vitamin B12 deficiency:

___________ __________ degeneration

Answer 5

Name the term given to neurological issues due to vitamin B12 deficiency:

Subacute combined degeneration

Question 6

Which tracts are affected by subacute combined degeneration due to vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 6

Dorsal

Spinocerebellar

Lateral corticospinal

Question 7

Which tracts are affected by ischemia following ligation of the arteria radicularis magna (artery of Adamkowitz)?

Answer 7

All but the dorsal columns

Question 8

Which tracts are affected in an epidural abcess of the spinal cord?

Answer 8

All (to some effect)

Question 9

Who is most at risk for epidural abcesses of the spinal cord?

Answer 9

IV drug users

(due to bacteremia)

Question 10

Brown-Sequard syndrome is due to what?

Answer 10

Spinal cord hemisection

Question 11

Describe the symptoms of Brown-Sequard syndrome (hemisection of the spinal cord).

Answer 11

Ipsilateral loss: proprioception / vibration / motor use

At the level of the lesion: flaccid paralysis / loss of sensation

Contralateral loss: pain / temperature

Question 12

ALS is characterized by ____________ (sensory/motor/both sensory and motor) deficits.

Answer 12

ALS is characterized by motor deficits only.

Question 13

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Answer 13

A demyelinating disease affecting both UMNs and LMNs

Question 14

What sensory deficits are expected in ALS?

Answer 14

None

(motor only)

Question 15

Syringomyelia is sometimes secondary to a Chiari ____ malformation.

Answer 15

Syringomyelia is sometimes secondary to a Chiari I malformation.

Question 16

What are the typical symptoms of a syringomyelia?

Answer 16

Loss of pain/temperature in upper extremities (cape-like distribution)

(motor dysfunction may develop later in the course)

Question 17

Tabes dorsalis occurs due to degeneration of what?

Answer 17

The dorsal columns and roots

Question 18

Tabes dorsalis presents with a positive _________ test and _________ joints.

Answer 18

Tabes dorsalis presents with a positive Romberg test and Charcot joints.