Spinal cord disorders Flashcards
How is the spinal cord arranged?
More than 19 different tracts
Ends in the cauda equina
What is the most important descending motor tract?
Lateral corticospinal tract
What is that pathway of the lateral corticospinal tract?
Begins in cerebral cortex, decussates in pyramids of lower medulla (medulla oblongata) and travels down contralateral side of spinal cord
What are the most important ascending sensory tracts?
Fasciculus gracilis
Fasciculus cuneatus
Lateral spinothalamic
Anterior spinothalamic
What is the function of the fasciculus gracilis?
Transmits vibration, conscious proprioception, and fine touch sensations from lower body
What is the function of the fasciculus cuneatus?
Carries tactile and proprioceptive information for upper limbs and torso
What is the function of the lateral spinothalamic tract?
Carries information about pain and temperature
What is the function of the anterior spinothalamic tract?
Carries information about touch and pressure
What makes up the dorsal column?
Fasciculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus
Where does the dorsal column decussate?
In the medulla
Where does the anterior spinothalamic tract decussate?
Crosses over at level of the spinal cord
Where does the lateral spinothalamic tract decussate?
At the level of the spinal cord
What artery is the biggest source of blood supply in the spinal cord?
Anterior spinal artery
Supplies 2/3
What are the 11 ways of classifying spinal cord disorders?
- Traumatic - whiplash, gunshot, stab, haematoma
- Degenerative disc disease - cervical/lumbar spondylosis, spinal canal stenosis
- Inflammatory - MS, transverse myelitis, NMO
- Neoplastic - intrinsic/extrinsic
- Infective, HIV, HTLV, abscess, empyema
- Vascular - ASA occlusion, spinal dural fistula, vasculitis
- Granulomatous - sarcoidosis
- Metabolic - vit B12 deficiency
- Hereditary - hereditary spastic paraplegia, Fredrich’s ataxia
- Other neurodegenerative - ALS
- Other - syringomyelia
Give an example of an intrinsic spinal cord tumour
Ependymoma
Give an example of an extrinsic spinal cord tumour
Meningioma
Metastatic lymphoma
What acute/subacute conditions are spinal cord emergencies?
Bladder/bowel weakness Saddle anaesthesia Leg weakness Constant sensory deficit Significant pain
How do you assess spinal cord problems?
Acute imagine of spine
MRI
What investigations do you do in a traumatic spinal cord issue?
MRI
What investigations do you do in degenerative disc disease?
MRI
CT
What investigations do you do in inflammatory spinal problems?
MRI spine and brain with contrast
LP - OCB and cells