Cord syndromes Flashcards
What information do the dorsal columns carry?
Fine touch
Vibration
Proprioception
What information do the spinothalamic tracts carry?
Pain
Temperature
Where does the dorsal column travel?
Posterior section of the cord
Where does the spinothalamic tract travel?
Anterior section of the cord
What information does the corticospinal tract carry?
Motor information
Describe Brown-Sequard syndrome
Damage of one lateral half of the spinal cord, most commonly in the cervical region
What is the clinical presentation of Brown-Sequard syndrome?
Ipsilateral spastic paralysis below the level of the lesion
Ipsilateral loss of fine touch, proprioception and vibration sense
Contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation
Describe anterior cord syndrome
Anterior part of spinal cord is damaged but posterior part is spared - can occur from blockage of anterior spinal artery
What is the clinical presentation of anterior cord syndrome?
Bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation
Bilateral spastic paralysis and UMN signs if corticospinal tracts affected too
Describe posterior cord syndrome
Damage to posterior portion of spinal cord - can occur in B12 deficiency
What is the clinical presentation of posterior cord syndrome
Bilateral loss of fine touch, proprioception and vibration sensation
What nerve fibres are affected in syringomyelia?
Anterior white commissure
What is the distribution of sensory loss in syringomyelia?
“Cape like” distribution of loss of pain and temperature sensation - upper limbs and shoulders
What is syringomyelia?
Problem with CSF flow which causes the development of a fluid filled cyst around the spinal canal
Associated with Chiari malformation
