Neurological Flashcards
Injury to C4 and above
Loss of diaphragmatic and intercostal phrenic innervation
Phenylephrine in SCIs
Should only be used if nonbradycardic and purely vasogenic, spinal shock
Poikilothermia
The inability to vasodialate and sweat in hot enviroments and the inability to vasoconstrict and shiver in cold enviroments
Sacral sparing present
Incomplete SCI
Anterior Cord Syndrome
Paraplegia below the level of injury, with loss of pain and temperature sensation
Central Cord Syndrome
Motor impairment with some sensory impairment, usually to a worse degree in the upper extremities than the lower
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Loss of motor functions on ipsilateral side of injury, with sensory impairment to contralateral side of injury
Complete Cord Transection
Complete loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury; high level injuries can be associated with spinal shock
Anterior Sublaxation
Flexion lesion characterized by disruption of posterior ligament complex
Teardrop hyperflexion fraction dislocations
- Results from diving or traffic accidents and falls
- Typically presents with anterior cervical cord syndrome
- Immediate quadriplegia, loss of anterior cord senses, and retention of posterior cord senses
Anterior and Posterior Cord Senses
Anterior: Pain and temperature
Posterior: Position, motion, and vibration
Compression cervical spine injuries
- Include Jefferson fracture of the atlas and the bursting fracture of the lower cervicl vertebrae
- Needs perfect skull and occipital condyle alignment
Types of Extension Injuries
- Extension teardrop fracture
- Hangman’s fracture
- Hyperextention fracture dislocation
Extension Teardrop Fracture
- Involves the anterior corner of the axis, the second cervical vertebra
- Usually associated with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine
Hyperextension injury MOI
Contact with windshield or other interior structure
Hangman’s fracture
- Unstable bilateral fracture of the pedicles of the axis
- Associated with dislocation of C2 or C3 cord segment and prevertebral swelling
Hyperextention fracture-dislocation
- Direct force backward or backward and forward force without axial loading
1: Midface skeletal or soft tissue injury
2: varying degrees of central cord syndrome
3: lateral cervical spine radiograph with diffuse prevertebral soft tissue swelling
Responsible for quadriplegia in patient where cervical spine seems intact
Chance fracture
-Flexion-distraction injury
- Occurs from seatbelt restrained individual decelerating rapidly against an immovable object
Feet first lumbar injury
T12 to L1
