Spinal Cord Disorders Flashcards
Examples of Spinal Cord Syndromes (4 total)
Syringomyelia
Dorsal Column Disease
Spinal Cord Infarction (Anterior Spinal Cord Syndrome)
Brown Sequard Syndrome
Spinal cord abnormality; a cystic cavity within the central canal; typically between C2 and T9; typically damages the ANTERIOR Commissure fibers (Spinothalamic tract); causes “cape-like” sensory loss of PAIN and TEMPERATURE with preserved touch; associated with Chiari, trauma and tumors
Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia typically occurs at what spinal levels
C2-T9
Syringomyelia typically damages what tract
Spinothalamic Tract (due to Anterior Commissure fiber damage)
Describe the sensory loss of Syringomyelia
“Cape-Like”
Loss of pain and temperature
Preserved touch
Function of the Spinothalamic Tract
Lateral: pain and temp
Anterior: touch and pressure
The Spinothalamic tract’s first neuron synapses at the (ipsi/contra)lateral gray matter and ascends (ipsi/contra)laterally
Synapse: ipsilateral
Ascends: contralateral
Functions of the Dorsal Column Spinal Cord
Vibration
Fine touch
Proprioception
In the Dorsal Columns, the nucleus (gracilis/cuneatus) are where synapses for lower body/legs are
Gracilis
*remember graciLis for “lower”
In the Dorsal Columns, the nucleus (gracilis/cuneatus) are where synapses for upper body/arm are
Cuneatus
*remember cUneatus for “upper”
Where do the Dorsal Column nerves decussate?
Medulla
Examples of Dorsal Column Disease
Subacute Combined Degeneration (B12 deficiency)
Tabes Dorsalis
Dorsal Column Disease; due to B12 deficiency; affects Spinocerebellar, Lateral Corticospinal and Dorsal Column tracts; causes ataxia, paresthesia and brisk reflexes
Subacute Combined Degeneration (of the cord)
Dorsal Column Disease; due to tertiary neurosyphilis damaging dorsal roots and dorsal columns; impaired proprioception and vibrational sense and loss of deep tendon reflexes; shows Romberg’s sign and Charcot’s joints
Tabes Dorsalis
Which Posterior Column Disease shows Romberg’s sign and Charcot’s joints
Tabes Dorsalis
Spinal Cord Syndrome; due to watershed area at Midthoracic area; causes UMN deficit BELOW the lesion (Corticospinal) and LMN deficit AT the level of the lesion (Anterior horn); also lose pain and temperature sensation below lesion (Spinothalamic tract)
Anterior Spinal Cord Syndrome
Describe the sensory/motor deficits of Anterior Spinal Cord Syndrome
UMN deficit BELOW lesion (Corticospinal)
LMN deficit AT level of lesion (Anterior horn)
Loss of pain/temp BELOW (Spinothalamic)
Spinal Cord Syndrome; rare condition where you have half paralysis and the other half loss of sensation; Ipsilateral WEAKNESS at and below level of lesion (Corticospinal), loss of ALL sensation at level and Position/Vibration BELOW (Dorsal Columns); Contralateral loss of pain/temp BELOW level (Spinothalamic)
Brown-Sequard Syndrome (“Half Cord Syndrome”)
Describe the sensory/motor loss of Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Ipsilateral: weakness at and below level (corticospinal), loss of ALL sensation at level, loss of position/vibration BELOW (Dorsal Columns)
Contralateral: loss of pain/temp BELOW level (Spinothalamic)*
*because decussates immediately in spinal cord
Neurodegenerative disorder involving the neurons of the MOTOR system in the brain and spinal cord; combined UMN and LMN symptoms; mutations in Superoxide Dismutase causes oxidative damage; results in NO SENSORY function
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Mutation associated with ALS
Superoxide Dismutase (causes oxidative damage)
ALS only affects the (motor/sensory) system
Motor
*so they won’t complain of numbness or other sensory abnormalities
Generally, the UMN lesions cause (increased/decreased) tone and reflexes
Increased (spastic)
Generally, the LMN lesions cause (increased/decreased) tone and reflexes
Decreased (flaccid)
