Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

Name some non traumatic spinal lesions

Answer 1

Degenerative disc disease
Spinal infarction
Tumor
Inflammation of spinal cord
Viral infection
Developmental/Congenital abnormalities

Question 2

State the three most vulnerable areas of the spinal cord

Answer 2

C5-C7
T12
T4-T7

Question 3

Name some causes of SCI

Answer 3

Destruction from direct trauma
Compression e.g. bone fragment, haemotoma or disc
Ischaemia

Question 4

Describe the main difference between complete and incomplete SCI

Answer 4

Complete means anywhere beneath the lesion has lost function whereas incomplete there can be some function beneath the lesion

Question 5

In a complete lesion which motor pathways are affected?

Answer 5

Descending

Anterior and lower motor neurone

Question 6

Name some symptoms of complete lesion (9)

Answer 6

Spinal shock
Motor function impairment 
Flaccidity (destruction of nerve cells)
Spasticity 
Impairment of deep and superficial sensation
Impairment to vasomotor control
Postural hypertension
Autonomic dysreflexia (headache, increased BP, response to pain)
Bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction

Question 7

Name the four types of incomplete SCI

Answer 7

Central cord
Anterior cord
Brown-Sequard
Cauda Equina

Question 8

Symptoms of central cord lesion

Answer 8

Motor dysfunction in UL
Bladder dysfunction
Corticospinal + spinothalamic tracts

Question 9

What are some symptoms of anterior cord lesion

Answer 9

Motor paralysis
Loss of pain and temp
Retained proprioception and vibration

Question 10

Name some symptoms of a Brown Sequard lesion

Answer 10

Motor deficit and numb to touch and vibration

Loss of pain and temp on opposite side

Question 11

Name the main cause of Brown-Sequard lesion

Answer 11

Gunshot or stab wound to thoracic or cervical

Question 12

Name some symptoms of Cauda Equina lesions

Answer 12

Cannot control bladder and bowel
Sexual dysfunction 
Foot drop
Pain and weakness in legs
Pain in saddle area