Spinal Degenerative Disease

Question 1

Thoracic discs account for ____ percent of herniated discs and ____ percent are assymptomatic.

Answer 1

1%

15%

Question 2

What percent of herniated discs are foraminal? Far lateral?

Answer 2

3%

4%

Question 3

What is a Schmorl’s node?

Answer 3

disc herniation through the endplate; seen in 75% of normal population

Question 4

Spondylosis is present in ____ percent of the population over 50 years old.

Answer 4

70%

Question 5

What are Sharpey fibers?

Answer 5

where the annulus is connected to the bone

Question 6

Lumbar stenosis is most commonly due to hypertrophy of _____.

Answer 6

Superior articulating process

Question 7

What is the normal cervical spine diameter?

Answer 7

18 mm

Question 8

Congenital spinal stenosis is seen in what two syndromes?

Answer 8

achondorplasia and Morquio syndrome

Question 9

What are the most common places for degenerative spondylolisthesis?

Answer 9

L4-L5 (66%) and L5-S1 (30%)

Question 10

What are tarlov cysts?

Answer 10

nerve root cysts most common in sacral spine along dorsal nerve roots

Question 11

A Charcot shoulder joint is highly suspicious for what neurologic finding?

Answer 11

cervical syrinx

Question 12

Cord compression in Morquio syndrome is often do to a ______.

Answer 12

hypoplastic dens