Spinal Cord Compression Flashcards
1
Q
State some acute causes of cord compression (4)
A
- Infection
- Trauma
- Tumour
- Spontaneous haemorrhage
2
Q
Describe Brown-Sequard syndrome
A
Hemisection of the spinal cord, resulting in motor and dorsal column dysfunction in the IPSILATERAL side, with spinothalamic dysfunction in the CONTRALATERAL side.
3
Q
What is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury?
A
Central cord syndrome
4
Q
Which sensory modality is affected in central cord syndrome?
A
Spinothalamic
5
Q
What are 3 possible causes of haemorrhage in cord compression?
A
- Trauma
- Anticoagulants
- Artery-venous malformations
6
Q
Which segments of the spine are most at risk of trauma?
A
Mobile segments, in particular the cervical spine
7
Q
Which imaging modality is used when assessing spinal cord compression?
A
MRI
8
Q
In a trauma setting, which imaging modalities would be used?
A
Plain films and CT.
