SCI Flashcards
What level does the SC end?
ends at L1-L2 interspace as the CONUS MEDULLARIS
How many segments does the SC have?
31 or 33 each with a pair of spinal nerves
Damage at the level of the cauda equina results in:
LMN lesion
descending collection of dorsal and ventral nerve rootlets
Examples of non-traumatic SCI:
vascular tumor infection autoimmune (transverse myelitis) spondlyosis / spinal stenosis developmental disorders (meningomyeloceole)
What type of traumatic injury has the highest incidence?
MVA (40-50%)
auto 38%, motorcycle 7%, other vehicle 1%
What is the leading cause of traumatic SCI in adults > 65?
jumps and falls
23% of traumatic SCI
Regionally, which part of the spine has the highest incidence of SCI?
cervical
(more mobility! upper c-spine injury more common in children bc head represents greater proportion of BW)
T, L, S each make up ~15%
Male vs. female incidence:
male 80-85%
female 15-20%
What age has increasing prevalence of SCI?
> 60 yoa
currently makes up about 12%
Age related incidence of SCI:
14-24: 50%
< 40: 80%
> 60: 12%
Tetraplegia results from ____ level injury and presents as:
aka quadriplegia
cervical
partial or complete paralysis of all 4 extremities and trunk
Paraplegia results from ____ and presents as:
below c-spine
partial or complete paralysis of all or part of trunk and both LE (UE intact)
The most common method of designating lesion level is to indicate:
the most distal functioning SC level
functional dermatome and myotome (at least mmt grade of 3)
Complete lesion is caused by:
Describe the presentation.
complete transection, severe contusion or extensive vascular impairment to SC
–> no motor or sensory fxn below the designated level
Incomplete lesion is caused by:
Describe the presentation.
most often from contusions
also from edema and partial transections
prognosis varies, but some recovery possible
–> some sensation or motor fxn (< 3 MMT) below the designated level of lesion
With oblique (asymmetric) injuries, there may be different fxnal levels on each side so…
score each side separately!
ASIA A
COMPLETE
no motor or sensory fxn below level of lesion including S4-5
ASIA B
INCOMPLETE
sensory but no motor fxn below level of lesion including sacral segments S4-5 (ANY sensory of motor fxn in anal region makes it an incomplete injury)
ASIA C
INCOMPLETE
Motor fxn preserved below level of lesion and more than half of the key muscles below the lesion level have a muscle grade < 3
ASIA D
INCOMPLETE
Motor fxn preserved below level of lesion and more than half of the key muscles below the lesion level have a muscle grade of 3 or better
ASIA E
NORMAL motor and sensory
What are the incidences based on injury severity?
Complete 45% / Incomplete 55% A 45% B 15% C 10% D 30%
What % of injuries are contusion?
40%
With ASIA A, what sign indicates potentially better prognosis?
anatomically incomplete lesions
Which region of the spine is more likely to produce complete injury?
thoracic
must be significant trauma to de-stabilize the otherwise stable t-spine compared to cervical and lumbar