SCI Injuries

Question 1

Tetraplegia

Answer 1

• Impairment or loss of motor and/or sensory function (of all 4 limbs)
• Damage to the cervical segments
• Upper, lower extremities and trunk affected

Question 2

Paraplegia

Answer 2

• Impairment or loss of motor or sensory function
• Damage to the thoracic, lumbar or sacral segments
• Lower extremities and/or trunk affected (paralysis of both legs)
• Can be used to refer to cauda equinq and conus medullaris injuries

Question 3

Complete - SCI

Answer 3

= sensory & motor function in the lowest sacral segments ( s4-s5) abs post injury

ASIA scale : AIS A

Question 4

Incomplete - SCI

Answer 4

Detectable residual sensory or motor function below NLi & specifically in the lowest sacral segment

ASIA sclae : AIS, B, C, D, E

Question 5

Type of SCI - Contusion

Answer 5

Bruising, usually from trauma (25%-40%)

Question 6

Type of SCI - Laceration

Answer 6

Severing or tearing, usually from fire weapons & knife wounds

Question 7

Type of SCI - Solid

Answer 7

Axonal damage, through injury or demyelination

Question 8

ASIA scale : A

Answer 8

= complete
No motor or sensory function preserved in the lowest segments (S4/5)

Question 9

ASIA Scale : B

Answer 9

= sensory incomplete
Minor sensory deficit but no motor function preserved below NLI, including the lowest segments (S4/5)

Question 10

ASIA scale : C

Answer 10

= motor incomplete
Sensory deficit. Motor function present below NLI, strengths of more than hal of the key muscles are grades < 3/5

Question 11

ASIA Scale : D

Answer 11

= motor incomplete
Motor function present below NLI, strength of more than hald of the key muscles are graded > 3/5

Question 12

ASIA Sclae : E

Answer 12

Motor & sensory functions in key muscles & dermatomes are normal

Question 13

What’s a Spinal shock ?

Answer 13

= Loss of neurological activity below injury level
Duration of phase : 1 month to 1 year
Ends : Return from spinal reflexes (=hyperreflexia) = attemps of motor neurons to re-establish synapses

Question 14

What’s a neurogenic shock?

Answer 14

= Hemodynamic csq of SCI
(usually = vasodilation, & incr. perfusion of lower extremities)

Question 15

CCS = central cord syndrome

Answer 15

= type of incomplete SCI (9%)
- UL weakness
- Bladder dysfunction
- sensory loss

Due to hyperextension injuries in presence of stenosis or spondylosis
OR flexion compression injuries during high impact accident

Question 16

BSS = Brown séquard syndrome

Answer 16

Due to hemi-lesion of SC due to trauma or vascular etiolmogy
Ipsilat :
- Loss of proprioception & touch sense
- Hypertonic paresis

Contralateral :
- Loss of pain & temp sense below injury level

Question 17

ACS = Anterior cord syndrome = Beck’s syndrome

Answer 17

= traumatic SCI
Due to flexion injuries compromising ant spinal artery (occlusion)
- Complete motor paralysis (bilateral)
- Loss of p+ & temp sensation (bilateral)
- Light touch & proprioception preserved
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Bladder/Bowel/Sexual dysfunction

Question 18

PCS = post cord syndrome

Answer 18

Due to compression of SC by disc or tumor, infection of post spinal artery
- Proprioception, vibration sens & two point discrimination sens lost below lesion
- motor function preserved
- p+ & temp sensation preserved
- bladder/bowel continence possible

Question 19

Cauda equina syndrome

Answer 19

= damage to cauda equina involving lumbosacral nerve roots
Due to burst fracture of a lumbar vertebra or central herniated disc

• Lower MN syndrome (no spinal reflex)
• Paraesthesia in LL
• Loss of Bladder/bowel reflex
• Chronic LBP

Question 20

CMS = Conus medullaris syndrome

Answer 20

Compressive damage from T12-L2 => UMNS & LMNSyndrome
Due to trauma or tumors

• Paraethesia in LL
• Loss of bladder/bowel reflex
• Chronic LBP
• Sacral reflexes might be preserved