Compression of spinal cord Flashcards
Which tract is responsible for crude touch?
Spinothalamic tract
Name a degenerative disease that could cause spinal cord compression
Spondylosis
Most common form of cervical spinal cord injury
Central cord syndrome
What causes central cord syndrome?
Hyperflexion or extension injury to already stenotic neck
Central cord syndrome
- weakness predominantly in the distal upper limbs
- “cape like” spinothalamic sensory loss
- dorsal columns preserved
- lower limb power preserved
Cancers likely to metastasise to bone
Lung
Breast
Kidney
Prostate
Are meningiomas and schwannomas extramedullary or intramedullary?
Extramedullary (but still within the dura)
Are astrocytomas and ependymomas extramedullary or intramedullary?
Intramedullary
Organisms that could cause bone infection
Staph
TB
You give this drug as a bolus and infusion in spinal cord injury - it is thought to minimise the secondary effects of spinal cord injury
Methylprednisolone
Which steroid do you give if you have spinal tumour?
Dexamethasone- helps to reduce swelling and can relieve pressure on spinal cord
Treatment for primary tumour
Surgical excision
Treatment for haemorrhage
- Reverse anticoagulation
- Surgical decompression
Treatment for degenerative disease
Surgical decompression +/- stabilisation
Where do the corticospinal tracts decussate?
Medulla
