Paraplegia Flashcards
What is paraplegia?
Paralysis of both lower extremities, often caused by spinal cord disorders.
What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?
Paraplegia affects both legs, while quadriplegia affects all four limbs.
What is the most common cause of paraplegia?
Spinal cord disorders, particularly spinal cord tumors.
What is the hallmark of a spinal cord lesion?
A horizontally defined level below which sensory, motor, and autonomic function is impaired.
What is spinal shock?
A temporary condition following acute spinal cord injury, characterized by flaccid paralysis and loss of reflexes.
What is the most common cause of acute paraplegia?
Spinal cord trauma, often due to fracture-dislocation of the spine.
What is the most common cause of chronic paraplegia?
Multiple sclerosis and spinal cord tumors.
What is the most common cause of compressive spinal cord lesions?
Spinal cord tumors, particularly metastases from breast, lung, or prostate cancer.
What is the most common cause of non-compressive spinal cord lesions?
Inflammatory or infectious causes, such as multiple sclerosis or transverse myelitis.
What is Brown-Sequard syndrome?
A hemicord syndrome characterized by ipsilateral weakness and loss of proprioception, with contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation.
What is central cord syndrome?
A syndrome caused by damage to the central spinal cord, resulting in arm weakness greater than leg weakness and dissociated sensory loss.
What is anterior spinal artery syndrome?
A syndrome caused by infarction of the anterior spinal artery, resulting in bilateral motor and sensory loss but sparing vibration and position sense.
What is conus medullaris syndrome?
A syndrome caused by damage to the conus medullaris, characterized by saddle anesthesia, bladder dysfunction, and preserved motor strength.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
A syndrome caused by damage to the nerve roots of the cauda equina, characterized by low back pain, radicular pain, and asymmetric leg weakness.
What is the most common cause of cauda equina syndrome?
“Hern
