Spine Path Flashcards
1
Q
What has to happen before a disk can herniate?
A
some degree of annulus degenerated
2
Q
What part of the disk herniates?
A
nucleus pulposus
3
Q
What causes cauda equina syndrome? Symptoms?
A
caused by impingement of cuada equina
symptoms: urinary retention, back pain, radicular symptoms, and saddle anesthesia
4
Q
What are 8 reasons to image low back pain?
A
>50YO neuro symptoms trauma cancer history IV drugs immunosuppression systemic symptoms night pain (awakens)
5
Q
How can you tell the difference between spinal cancer and infection on imaging?
A
cancer spares disks, infection does not
6
Q
What is spinal stenosis?
A
degenerative decrease in spinal canal caliber
can have many underlying causes
7
Q
What is neurogenic claudication?
A
LE pain on activity
worse with spinal extension
