Spinal Cord Compression

Question 1

a lesion in the corticospinal tract presents contralaterally or ipsilaterally

Answer 1

ipsilaterally

Question 2

a lesion in the dorsal column presents contralaterally or ipsilaterally

Answer 2

ipsilaterally

Question 3

a lesion in the spinothalamic tract presents contralaterally or ipsilaterally

Answer 3

contralaterally

Question 4

what are the acute causes of spinal cord compression

Answer 4

trauma
infection/abscess
spontaneous haemorrhage
malignancy - pathological fracture

Question 5

what are the chronic causes of spinal cord compression

Answer 5

malignancy - bony mets
degenerative disease such as OA or spondylosis
subluxation

Question 6

who is at increased risk of subluxation

Answer 6

Down’s syndrome

rheumatoid arthritis

Question 7

how does complete cord compression present

Answer 7

complete loss of function below the level of the spinal cord, both sensory and motor

Question 8

cord compression at what level results in loss of function of lower limbs

Answer 8

T8

Question 9

what are the examination findings immediately and several days after complete cord compression

Answer 9

immediately - spinal shock, hypotonia, areflexia and paralysis
several days - UMN lesion features such as hyperreflexia, hypertonia and paralysis