Neurology

Question 1

When should a diagnosis of degenerative cervical myelopathy be considered?

Answer 1

patients over 50 with progressive neurological symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the limbs/neck, imbalance, numbness, loss of dexterity, increasing number of falls, incontinence

Question 2

what is degenerative cervical myelopathy?

Answer 2

form of neurological impairment caused by compression of the cervical spinal cord (usually by degenerative cervical spondylosis, osteophytes etc)

Question 3

most common presentation of degenerative cervical myelopathy?

Answer 3

older adults
symmetrical numbness and tingling in extremities
gait imbalance
hand clumsiness

Question 4

specific clinical sign in degenerative cervical myelopathy?

Answer 4

hoffmans sign
flicking the middle finger causes reflex twitching of other fingers