Diseases of the Spinal Cord and Nerve Roots (Surgical) Flashcards
Which tissues do you penetrate during a lumbar puncture?
Supraspoinous ligament
Interspinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Posterior longitudinal ligament
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Where does spinal cord compression stop?
Can’t happen below the level of the spinal cord (L1/L2)
Where on the body is dermatomes
C5
C6
C7
C8
L3
L4
L5
S1?
L4 - knee and medial malleolus
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What spinal level are elbow flexors?
C5
What level are Elbow extensors?
C7
What level are wrist extensors?
C5
What level are Finger extensors?
C8
What level are intrinsic muscles of the hand?
T1
What level are ankle dorsiflexors / plantarflexors?
Dorsiflexors - L4
Plantar flexors - S1
What level are hip flexors?
L2
What level are knee extensors?
L3
What level are long toe extensors?
L5
What are the spinal levels of the biceps, supinator and the triceps reflex?
Biceps - C5/C6
Supinator - C6
Triceps - C7
What are the spinal levels for reflexes for knee and ankle?
Knee - L3/L4
Ankle - S1
State wether the following are absent / present or increased/decreased in UMN/LMN lesions
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What are the features of a C6 spinal cord lesion?
Weakness in the elbow below sensory level at C6
Increased tone in legs
Brisk reflexes
Babinski positive
What is myelopathy?
Neurological defecit due to compression of spinal cord
Myelopathy is UMNL
What is the definition of clonus?
Clonus is 5 beats or more for it to be positive – upper motor neurone response
What are the features of L4 nerve root lesion?
Pain down ipsilateral leg
Numbness in L4 dermatome
Weakness in ankle dorsiflexion
Reduced knee jerk
What is meant by radiculopathy?
Compression of nerve root leading to dermatomal and myotomal defecits
What are the main types of aetiology associated with spinal pathology?
Degenerative
Tumour
Infection
Trauma
Congenital
Differentiated by history examination and investigations
What is disc prolapse?
Acute herniation of intervertebral disc causing compression of spinal roots or spinal cord