Diseases of the Spinal Cord Flashcards
What are examples of diseases of upper motor neurons of the spinal cord?
Myelopathy
Myelitis
What are examples of diseases of lower motor neurons of the spinal cord?
Radiculopathy
Radiculitis
What are examples of upper motor neuron (UMN) neuron signs?
No wasting
Increased tone
Increased reflexes, extensor planter
Pyramidal pattern of weakness
What are examples of lower motor neuron signs?
Wasting
Decreased tone
Decreased reflexes, flexor planter
Weakness
What do upper motor neurons form?
Spinal cord
What do lower motor neurons form?
Spinal root
What is a sign of radiculopathy?
Dermatomal sensory loss
What is myelopathy?
Injury to the spinal cord due to severe compression
What is Brown-Sequard syndrome?
Lesion on the spinal cord that results in weakness or paralysis
What does Brown-Sequard syndrome cause?
Ipsilateral - decreased vibration, joint position sense and weakness
Contralateral - decreased pain and temperature
What are autonomic symptoms of diseases of the spinal cord?
Bladder/bowel problems
As an example, what would the clinical presentation be of a C5 cord lesion?
Wasting of C5 innervated muscles
Increased ton in legs, which is greater than the arms
Power decreased in C5 innervated muscles, pyramidal pattern below
Reflexes in biceps decrease, all lower reflexes increase
Sensory level
What is radiculopathy?
Set of conditions in which one or more nerves are affected and do not work properly (a neuropathy)
What are the different classifications of causes for myelopathy or radiculopathy?
Intrinsic
Extrinsic
What do intrinsic causes mean?
Medical causes (from within the body)
