Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Neuro ESA4 > Spinal Cord Injury > Flashcards

Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main cause of spinal cord injury?

A

Physical trauma

Contact sports, car accident, assualt, fall, alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Are males more or less likely to have spinal cord trauma?

A

Four times more likely

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What percentage of head injuries have a concurrent C-spine injury?

A

10-20%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What percentage of head injuries have an associated spinal injury elsewhere?

A

30%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

In what percentage of spinal injuries is a neurological deficit seen?

A

30%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which spinal cord segments are most prone to injury?

A

50% C6/7

30% C2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

In children, which spinal cord segments are most prone to injury?

A

C1-2

Heavier heads, lax ligaments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the forces involved in injury?

A 
Hyperflexion (forward)
Hyperextension (backward)
Lateral stress (sideways)
Rotation (twisting)
Compression (force along axis of spine downward from head or upward from pelvis)
Distraction (pulling apart of vertebrae)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the likely consequences of flexion injuries?

A

Fractures and dislocations.

Often leads to neurological injury.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the likely consequences of extension injuries?

A

Fractures (hangman’s, teardrop)

Dislocations (anterior atlanto-axial)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the causes of complete cord transection?

A 
Trauma
Infarction
Transverse myelitis
Abscess
Tumour
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the clinical features of complete cord transection?

A 
Complete loss of sensation below lesion
" " paralysis " " " "
Spinal shock and autonomic dysfunction (higher lesions)
Hypotension
Priapism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is brown-séquard syndrome?

A

Compete spinal hemisection (rare) leading to unilateral cord compression/injury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the causes of brown-séquard syndrome?

A 
Penetrating trauma
Fractured vertebrae
Tumour
Abscess
Multiple sclerosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the clinical features of brown-séquard syndrome?

A

Ipsilateral loss of motor function, conscious proprioception, vibration, and touch sensation.
Contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is anterior cord syndrome?

A

Loss of function of anterior portion of spinal cord.

17
Q

What are the causes of anterior cord syndrome?

A 
Flexion injury (fraction/dislocation of vertebrae, herniated discs)
Injury to anterior spinal artery (vascular/atherosclerotic in elderly, iatrogenic secondary to intraoperative aortal cross clamping)
18
Q

What are the clinical features of anterior cord syndrome?

A

Flaccid paralysis below level of lesion
Loss of pain/temperature
Autonomic dysfunction (bowel, bladder, sexual)
Preservation of dorsal tract modalities

19
Q

What are the causes of central cord syndrome?

A 
Trauma (hyperextension (elderly), hyperflexion (younger) of cervical spine)
Disruption of blood flow to spinal cord
Cervical spinal stenosis
Degenerative spinal disease
Syringomyelia
Central canal ependymoma
20
Q

What is syringomyelia?

A

Development of a cyst in the spinal canal, obliterating spinothalamic fibres decussating in white commissure.

21
Q

What are the clinical features of syringomyelia?

A

Loss of pain/temperature sensation (‘cape’ distribution)

Light touch and proprioception preserved

22
Q

What are the clinical features of central cord syndrome?

A

Motor function lost, moreso in upper than lower extremity

Bladder dysfunction, urinary retention

23
Q

What are the causes of posterior cord syndrome?

A 
(Rare)
Spondylosis
Spinal stenosis
Infection
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Occlusion/infarction of one of paired posterior spinal arteries
24
Q

What are the clinical features of posterior cord syndrome?

A

Loss of conscious proprioception, vibration, two point discrimination, light touch.
Motor, pain, temperature, and firm touch preserved.

25
Q

What is the nonsurgical management of cord injuries?

A 
Intubation if C5 or above
ICU admission
Early C-spine immobilisation
(Maintain C-spine restriction for ~6 weeks)
PT/OT
26
Q

When should surgical management of cord injuries be undertaken?

A

With progressive neurological deficits

Unstable spinal fractures

27
Q

When should you assume a spine injury is present?

A 
Head injury
Unconscious/confused
Spinal tenderness
Extremity weakness
Loss of sensation

Neuro ESA4 (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions