spinal cord diseases Flashcards
What is poliomyelitis?
A viral infection that destroys lower motor neurons in the ventral horns.
What are the key symptoms of polio?
Flaccid paralysis, hypotonia, fasciculations, areflexia, muscle atrophy.
Which part of the spinal cord does polio primarily affect?
Lumbar segments (ventral horns).
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
A progressive disease that damages both upper and lower motor neurons.
What are the motor symptoms of ALS?
Spastic paralysis (upper motor neuron damage) and flaccid paralysis (lower motor neuron damage).
Which part of the spinal cord does ALS first affect?
Cervical spinal cord (neck region).
Does ALS affect sensation?
No, ALS only affects motor function.
What is Tabes dorsalis?
A late-stage neurosyphilis disorder affecting the dorsal columns and dorsal roots.
What are the hallmark symptoms of Tabes dorsalis?
Paresthesias, pain, polyuria, high-step gait, positive Romberg sign, Argyll Robertson pupils.
What causes the high-step gait in Tabes dorsalis?
Loss of proprioception due to dorsal column damage.
What is Anterior Spinal Artery (ASA) Occlusion?
A blockage of the anterior spinal artery, affecting the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord.
What are the major symptoms of ASA occlusion?
Bilateral spasticity below the lesion, bilateral loss of pain/temp below the lesion, bilateral flaccid weakness at the lesion level.
Which sensations are spared in ASA occlusion?
Dorsal column sensations (vibration, position sense).
What is Subacute Combined Degeneration?
Spinal cord demyelination due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Which tracts are affected in Subacute Combined Degeneration?
Dorsal columns, corticospinal tracts, spinocerebellar tracts.
What are the symptoms of Subacute Combined Degeneration?
Bilateral spasticity and loss of vibration/position sense below the lesion.
What is Syringomyelia?
A condition where cavities form in the spinal cord, damaging central pathways.
Which part of the spinal cord is first affected in Syringomyelia?
Upper thoracic and cervical regions.
What are the early symptoms of Syringomyelia?
Bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation at the lesion level.
What are the late symptoms of Syringomyelia?
Flaccid weakness in the upper limbs and Horner syndrome.
What other conditions are associated with Syringomyelia?
Hydrocephalus and Arnold-Chiari II malformation.
What is Brown-Sequard Syndrome?
A spinal cord hemisection (one-sided injury).
What are the ipsilateral symptoms in Brown-Sequard Syndrome?
Spasticity below the lesion (CST), loss of fine touch/position (DC), flaccid weakness at the lesion level.
What are the contralateral symptoms in Brown-Sequard Syndrome?
Loss of pain and temperature sensation (ST) 1-2 segments below the lesion.
What additional symptom occurs if Brown-Sequard Syndrome affects T1-T2?
Ipsilateral Horner syndrome.
