Spinal Cord Clinical Flashcards
failure of neural tube to close causes
congenital spinal cord disorders (spina bifida, meningocele, myolomeningocele)
risk factors for congenital spinal cord disorders
AED’s esp valproate; folate deficiency, diabetes mellitus, obesity, pos family Hx, elevated body temp
syringomyelia presentation is characterized by
shawl-like distribution of pain and temperature loss
most commonly inherited ataxia (aut recessive)
friedrich’s ataxia
the chromosome abnormality that causes Friedrich’s ataxia normally codes for this protein
frataxin (mitochondrial matrix protein)
usually onset of Friedrich’s ataxia
before 10y/o
phenotype of Friedrich’s ataxia
ataxia, dysarthria, loss of proprioception (cant walk at night), areflexia w/ babinski’s sign, optic atrophy, kyphosis, pes cavus, diabetes, cardiomyopathy – fatal
Friedrich’s Ataxia is caused by loss of… especially in…
myelin, esp. in the corticospinal tracts
adrenomyeloneuropathy: dysmyelinative or demyelinative?
dysmyelinative
onset/phenotype of adrenomyeloneuropathy?
infant and childhood males (X-linked); progressive CNS degeneration with or without adrenal insufficiency; progressive paraparesis (UMN signs)
how adrenomyeloneuropathy is diagnosed
elevated blood levels of unbranched, saturated VLCFA’s.
family Hx is important for hereditary spastic paraparesis diagnosis because
80% of the disease is autosomal dominant
phenotype of hereditary spastic paraparesis
bladder dysfunction, UMN signs, variable impaired vibration sensation
this demyelinative myelopathy involves antibodies to aquaporins receptors
neuromyelitis optica (Devic’s disease)
possible causes of epidural abscess
diabetes, immunosuppressed patients
