Spinal Injuries Flashcards
at what level do the majority of spinal injuries occur
C6/7
at what level do the majority of spinal injuries occur in children
C1/2
what are some possible causes of complete cord transections
trauma, infection, abscess, tumour
what is the presentation of a complete cord transection
loss of all modalities/sensation below the lesion
loss of motor function below the lesion
why do patients experience hypotension in a complete cord transection
loss of sympathetic input therefore vasodilation occurs via the parasympathetics
what are some causes of brown-sequard syndrome
penetrating trauma, fractured vertebrae, tumour, abscess, MS
what is the presentation in brown-sequard syndrome
ipsilateral loss of motor function and dorsal column modalities
contralateral loss of spinothalamic modalities
what are some causes of anterior cord syndrome
hyeprflexion injures leading to fractured vertebrae, anterior spinal artery injury
what is the presentation of anterior cord syndrome
loss of motor function below the lesion
loss of spinothalamic modalities below the lesion
preserve dorsal column modalities
what are the causes of central cord syndrome
hyperextension in the elderly hyeprflexion in younger patients syringomyelia tumours cervical spine stenosis
what is syringomyelia
development of a cyst in the central cord
what is the presentation of central cord syndrome
loss of motor and sensory in cape like distribution
upper extremities are affected more than lower extremities
what are some causes of posterior cord syndrome
spondylosis, infections, vit B12 deficiency
what is the presentation of posterior cord syndrome
loss of dorsal column modalities
preservation of corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts
