Myelopathy Flashcards

1
Q

What is a myelopathy & causes?

A
Disorder of spinal cord
Trauma/ haematoma
Compression (malignancy- breast, lung, kidney, prostate, thyroid)
Bleed
Tumour
Metabolic
Infection- epidural abscess, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis
Cervial disc prolapse
Autoimmune
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2
Q

Brown Sequard Syndrome

A

Unilateral lesion causing UMN involvement
-IPSILATERAL: spastic leg & arm and loss of proprioception and vibration
CONTRALATERAL: loss of pain and temp

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3
Q

What is transverse myelitis

A

Inflammation of cord with resistant paraparesis (autoimmune) triggered by infection (MS, sarcoid, viral infection) causing leg & arm weakness, tingling back pain and reduced sensation in leg

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4
Q

What causes metabolic Cord Disease & symptoms

A

Vit B12 deficiency

Slowly progressive weakness, sensory ataxia, paraesthesia, peripheral neuropathy.

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5
Q

How do you investigate myelopathy?

A

MRI
Biopsy if lesion
Bloods

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6
Q

How would you treat malignancy compressing spinal cord?

A

Dexamethasone

Chemo/radiotherapy/decompression/laminectomy

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7
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?

A

Leg weakness (flaccid and areflexic- LMN)
Sciatic pain down legs
Decreased sphincter tone
Saddle anaesthesia
Erectile dysfunction
TREAT IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID SPHINCTER permanent damage

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