Exam 2 Myelopathy

Question 1

The most common etiology of myelopathy in small animals is

Answer 1

Intervertebral disc disease

Question 2

The pathophysiology of _________ is degeneration of the nucleus pulposis

Answer 2

Intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE)

Question 3

Describe the common signalment of IVDE.

Answer 3

Chondodystrophic breeds, 4-6 years old

Question 4

Schiff-Sherrington posture is an abnormal posture resulting from a severe, acute myelopathy located where?

Answer 4

T3-L3

Question 5

flaccid paralysis and loss of spinal reflexes in limbs caudal to the spinal cord lesion is

Answer 5

Spinal Shock

Question 6

T/F: Spinal shock is most commonly observed with T3-L3 Myelopathy.

Answer 6

True. In spinal shock you see temporary reflex decrease

Question 7

T/F: the severity of signs relates to structure.

Answer 7

true

Question 8

Of the following, which is the most susceptible to injury? Which is the least susceptible?
- Large myelinated fibers for proprioception
- Small, central, unmyelinated fibers for nociceptory information
- intermediate size, myelinated fibers that carry motor information

Answer 8

Most susceptible: Large myelinated fibers for proprioception
Least susceptible: Small, central, unmyelinated fibers for nociceptory information

Question 9

Explain the Modified Frankel Score scoring system

Answer 9

scoring system from 0-5 with 0 being normal and 5 being the most severe signs.
1- pain only (no true neurologic deficits)
2- ambulatory paraparesis with ataxia
3- non-ambulatory paraparesis
4- paraplegia with intact deep pain perception
5- paraplegia with absent deep pain

Question 10

sources of pain or neurologic deficits include disc, meninges, periosteal (bone), muscles and what else?

Answer 10

nerve roots

Question 11

T/F: primary injury of the spinal cord involves compression, contusion/ concussion, laceration and traction

Answer 11

true

Question 12

describe the pathophysiology of primary SC damage

Answer 12

primary:
- a normal spinal cord experiences mechanical impact, such as. trauma-> immediate tissue damage-> compression, contusion/ concussion, laceration and traction (factors of primary injury)

Question 13

T/F: the pathophysiology of secondary S.C damage is - a normal spinal cord experiences mechanical impact, such as. trauma-> immediate tissue damage->