Spinal Cord Lesions- Block 2

Question 1

Answer 1

Poliomyelitis

Question 2

Answer 2

Tabes dorsalis (later stages of syphilis)

Question 3

Answer 3

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Question 4

Answer 4

anterior spinal artery occlusion

Question 5

Answer 5

Friedreich’s ataxia

Question 6

Answer 6

syringomyelia

Question 7

Answer 7

Brown Sequard syndrome

Question 8

Answer 8

complete transection

Question 9

where in the spinal tract does polio affect

Answer 9

lower motor neurons of ventral horn

Question 10

what are the symptoms of polio

Answer 10

flaccid paralysis
muscle atrophy
fasciculations
areflexia

(lower motor neuron lesion symptoms)

Question 11

how does tabes dorsalis (late stage of syphilis) affect the spinal tract

Answer 11

large diameter fibers in the dorsal root degenerate

Question 12

what are the symptoms of tabes dorsalis (late stage syphilis)

Answer 12

bilateral dorsal column signs below the lesion
Romberg sign
Argyle Robsertson pupils

Question 13

what part of the spinal tract is affected by amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Answer 13

progressive degenerative disease affecting corticospinal tract and lower motor neurons

Question 14

what are the symptoms of ALS

Answer 14

muscle atrophy of limbs
upper and lower motor neuron symptoms

Question 15

what is affected with anterior spinal artery occlusion

Answer 15

infarction in ventral to lateral white funiculus bilaterally
ventral horn bilaterally

Question 16

what are the symptoms of anterior spinal artery occlusion

Answer 16

sudden bilateral upper ad lower motor neuron symptoms

Question 17

what is the cause of subacute combined degeneration

Answer 17

deficiency of enzymes required for B12 absorption

Question 18

what are the symptoms of subacute combined degeneration

Answer 18

demyelination of the dorsal columns, dorsal/cuneo spinocerebellar tracts, or corticospinal tracts

Question 19

what is the change that occurs with subacute combined degeneration

Answer 19

degenerative changed in dorsal and lateral funiculus

Question 20

what tracts are affected with Freidreich’s ataxia

Answer 20

spinocerebellar
dorsal column
lateral corticospinal
degeneration of nucleus of clarke at thoracic level

Question 21

what causes syringomyelia and central cord syndrome

Answer 21

enlargement of the central canal of the spinal cord

Question 22

what are the symptoms of syringomyelia

Answer 22

bilateral DCML loss
destruction of ventral horns as disease progresses (muscle weakness and eventually flaccid paralysis/atrophy of upper limb muscles

there may be compression of the corticospinal tract with a large lesion

Question 23

what is the main symptom of central cord syndrome

Answer 23

impaired pain and temperature bilaterally

Question 24

where is the lesion in Brown Sequard syndrome

Answer 24

hemisection (half) of the spinal cord

Question 25

what are the symptoms with Brown Sequard symdrome

Answer 25

ipsilateral loss of position/vibration at and below lesion (DCML)
contralateral loss of pain and temperature below the lesion, bilateral loss at the level
ipsilateral weakness below the lesion (corticospinal)
flaccid paralysis at level of lesion (lower motor neuron)
ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome

Question 26

what occurs in complete spinal transection

Answer 26

spinal areflexia below the level of transection that may last between 1-6 weeks
post recovery, signs of upper motor neuron lesion appear below the level of lesion
impairment of bladder and bowel functions

Question 27

what are the 3 stages of spinal cord injury

Answer 27

spinal shock
recovery
reflex failure

Question 28

when is spinal shock at an end

Answer 28

when bulbocavernosus reflex returns

Question 29

what are 3 possible causes of transverse myelitis

Answer 29

inflammatory disorder of spinal cord
as a result of MS
autoimmune following a viral/bacterial infection

Question 30

at what level does subacute bilateral or partial hemichord syndromes occur

Answer 30

thoracic or cervical

Question 31

what are the symptoms of transverse myelitis

Answer 31

motor and/or sensory losses
upper and lower motor neuron symptoms
bladder and urinary dysfunction

Question 32

conus medullaris presents with what motor neuron symptoms

Answer 32

upper and lower

Question 33

cauda equina presents with what motor neuron symptoms

Answer 33

lower

Question 34

does conus medullaris or cauda equina present with urinary and fecal incontinence or urinary retention

Answer 34

incontinence