Spinal Cord Disorders

Question 1

Brown-sequard syndrome

Answer 1

Weakness (hyperreflexia) ipsilatearl and below lesion due to corticospinal tract, impaired position sense below the lesion from posterior column fibers

Loss of pain and temperature below level of lesion contralateral

Question 2

Syringomyelia

Answer 2

Expansion of fluid space in center of spinal cord

Sx: cape like loss of pain and temperature

Question 3

spinal cord compression

Answer 3

weakness incoordination and sphincter dysfunction below lesion and sensory level at or below lesion

Question 4

Cauda equina

Answer 4

Nerve roots within the spinal canal

Sx: wasting, weakness, fasciculations in muscles with pain, bowel and bladder and sexual dysfunction

Question 5

Conus medullaris

Answer 5

Sx: upper motor hyperreflexia, babinksi and sphincter dysfunction as well as radicular pain

Question 6

Anterior spinal artery synrdome

Answer 6

Stroke affecting motor and sensory fxn below lesion, spare posterior column function
- join position sense at toes is preserved

Question 7

ALS

Answer 7

Progressive neurologic dysfunction in spinal cord
Path: loss of anterior horn cells and peripheral nerve fxn
Sx: weakness, fasciculations, wasting, spasticity, hyperreflexia
- no sensory deficits, eye movements unaffected
Tx: riluzole - blocks glutamatergic neurotransmission retards speed of deterioration of ALS

Die of respiratory failure