Chapter 7: Spinal Cord Syndromes

Question 1

Central Cord

Answer 1

Remember “MUDE”

• M= Greater motor deficit than sensory
• U = Greater upper extremity involvment than lower extremity (ie. walking para)
• D = greater distal involvement than proximal
• E = Commonly caused by extension injuries such as whiplash

Question 2

Posterior Cord

Answer 2

• Rarest cord symdrome
• results in bilateral loss of vibration and proprioception (or ipsilateral if the injury is only to one side of the cord)
• Pain, temp and touch are preserved
• Typically caused by a tumor or abscess

Question 3

Anterior Cord

Answer 3

• Results in loss of pain and temperature sensation as well as bilateral motor loss
• Proprioception and vibration are preserved
• Typically caused by a flexino injury such as diving into shallow water

Question 4

Brown-Sequard

Answer 4

• Results in loss of pain and temp on the contralateral side in relation to the side of the injury
• Loss of ipsilateral motor control
• Loss of ipsilateral vibration and proprioception
• Typically caused by a penetrating injury such as gun shot wound or stabbing

Question 5

Cauda Equina

Answer 5

• Injury at L1 level and below
• Results in flaccid paralysis with no spinal reflex activity ie a areflesive bowel and bladder
• Typically caused by disc herniation or spinal stenosis

Question 6

Conus Medullaris

Answer 6

• Injury to the sacral cord and lumbar nerve roots
• Results in lower extremity motor and sensory loss
• Results in an a-reflexive bowel and bladder