Spinal cord Flashcards
Most common type of vertebral column injury
fracture-dislocation
Most common level of most vertebral injuries?
1st and 2nd cervical, 4th to 6th cervical, 11th thoracic to 2nd lumbar
T/F: The spinal cord ends at the first lumbar vertebra, usually at its rostral border.
True
T/F: In all cases of spinal cord and cauda equine injury, the prognosis for recovery is more favourable if any movement or sensation is elicited during the first 48-72 hours.
True
Earliest tissue alteration in acute spinal cord injury
hyperemia and small haemorrhages in the central gray matter
Type of radiation myelopathy characterised mainly by spontaneous uncomfortable sensations in the extremities appearing 3-6 months after RT.
Early type radiation myelopathy
Maximum daily fraction of radiation to avoid injury
200 cGy (weekly <900 cGy)
The most characteristic finding is a multifocal-subpial nodular enhancement of the meninges adjacent to a lesion within the cord or nerve roots resembling neoplastic meningeal infiltration
Sarcoid myelitis
Most frequent etiologic agent of spinal epidural abscess
Staphylococcus aureus
Most common implicated organisms in post-surgical bacterial osteomyelitis?
Coagulase-negative staphylococci and propionibacterium
Region most commonly affected in vertebral bacterial osteomyelitis?
Lumbar spine
Broad-spectrum antibiotic approach in vertebral osteomyelitis
Oral fluoroquinolone with or without rifampin for at least 4-6 weeks
T/F: As a general rule, acute spinal MS is relatively painless and without fever and the patient usually improves with variable residual signs
True
The presence of this antibody differentiates Devic disease from other forms of MS
IgG antibody
Antibody associated with some of the cases of lupus nephritis
Antiphospholipid antibody
Part of the spinal cord mainly affected by Caisson disease?
Upper thoracic spinal cord
Most frequently observed myelopathy in general practice
Spondylitic Myelopathy
Most common complication of ankylosing spondylitis
Spinal stenosis and cauda equina syndrome
A typical feature is the absence or severe hypoplasia of the odontoid process
Mucopolysaccharidosis IV or Morquio syndrome
A condition where there is fusion of the upper cervical vertebrae or of the atlas of the occiput
Klippel-Feil syndrome
Mutation associated with Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis
mutation in CYP27A
The only neurologic abnormality in Homocystinuria
mental retardation
Flattening of the base of the skull where the angle formed by the intersection of the plane of the cloves and the plane of the anterior fossa is greater than 135 degrees
Platybasia
Most common presenting complaint of copper deficiency myelopathy
Imbalance
Most common intramedullary tumor if one excludes tutors arising from the film terminale
Astrocytoma
condition characterised by xanthochromia and clotting of CSF from greatly elevated protein content
Froin syndrome
Type of syringomyelia associated with intramedullary tumor
Type III
T/F: Spinal shock involves tendons.
True
The usual duration of spinal shock
1-6 weeks
Electrophysiologic responses that reflect the functioning of the motor neurons of the isolated segment of the cord
F-waves
Any residual symptoms persisting after this period are likely to be permanent
6 months
Watershed segment of the spinal cord
Thoracic
Spinal cord tumor frequently associated with acquired type of syringomyelia
Hemangioblastoma
Most frequently observed myelopathy in general practice
Spondylitic myelopathy
Rheumatologic condition leading to inflammation and intense calcification of the ligamentous insertions.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Most common complication of ankylosing spondylitis
Spinal stenosis and cauda equina syndrome
A special form of acute cervical cord injury resulting in the loss of motor function solely or more severely in the upper limbs than in the lower ones.
Central cord (Scheider) syndrome
Shows a characteristic rarefaction and atrophy of corticospinal tracts because of neuronal loss
Primary lateral sclerosis
Most common mutation in inherited ALS
Mutation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)
Mediates reflex postural movements in response to visual, and perhaps, auditory stimuli.
Tectospinal tract
Most common intramedullary spinal cord tumor outside the filum terminale
Astrocytoma
