Spinal Cord Lesions - S

Question 1

If theres a SC lesion above T1, what my occur?

Answer 1

Horner’s syndrome

Question 2

If there’s a SC lesion above T2, what. Might occur?

Answer 2

Sweating and vasomotor disturbances of the body

Question 3

If there’s a SC lesion around S2, what might happen?

Answer 3

Reflex bladder

Question 4

If there’s a SC lesion around S3-5, what might occur?

Answer 4

Incontinence

Question 5

What are the s/sx of Horner’s syndrome?

Answer 5

Slight ptosis
Pupillary constriction (meisos)
Flushing of the face (vasodilation), anhydrosis, blushing

Question 6

What kind of injuries often preclude Brown-Sequard sydrome? What do these injuries cause? What are the resulting symptoms?

Answer 6

Knife or bullet wound, meningioma, trauma

Unilateral transverse lesion or hemisection of SC

Supinated/rigid foot

Ipsilateral loss of proprioception and vibratory sensations below the lesion d/t posterior column lesion (we haven’t decusated yet)

Ipsilateral spastic paralysis below the level of the lesion d/t destruction of descending motor tracts (UMNs)(because we’ve decusated already)

Contralateral loss of pain and temp sensations 2 dermatomal segments below the lesion (we’ve already decusated)

Question 7

What causes Subacute Combined Degeneration and pernicious (macrocytic) anemia? What are the sx?

Answer 7

Degeneration of the posterior columns and pyramidal tracts d/t vit B12 deficiency which resulted from atrophy of the mucosal lining of the stomach stripping the body of intrinsic factor (needed to move vit B12 into the body)

Glove and stocking anesthesia (numbness of tingling in fingers and toes), bilateral loss of proprioception and 2pt tactile

Question 8

If the spinal cord is lesioned at C1-C4, what may be damaged?

Answer 8

Phrenic damage