Summary of Essentials - Ch. 24-29 (Neuro/MSK) Flashcards
First step in assessing a suspected spinal cord injury?
Thorough neurological exam
Presentation (spinal cord injury) - no motor and sensory function below the level of the injury
Complete spinal cord injury
Presentation (spinal cord injury) - some residual motor and/or sensory function below the level of the injury
Incomplete spinal cord injury
Role of the lateral corticospinal tract?
Movement of the ipsilateral limbs and body
Clinical effects of a lesion of the lateral corticospinal tract?
Ipsilateral paresis at and below the level of the lesion
Role of the dorsal column medial lemniscus tract?
Fine touch, vibration, conscious proprioception
Clinical effects of a lesion of the dorsal column medial lemniscus tract?
Ipsilateral loss of fine touch, vibration, and proprioception at and below the level of the lesion
Role of the spinothalamic tract?
Pain, temperature
Clinical effects of a lesion of the spinothalamic tract?
Contralateral loss of pain and temperature at and bleow the level of the lesion
Presentation - contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation 1-2 levels below the lesion, ipsilateral hemiparesis and diminished dorsal column sensation below the level of the lesion
Brown-Sequard hemisection (loss of half of the spinal column)
Presentation - sensory-motor dissociation, intact fine touch, vibration, proprioception
Complete occlusion of anterior spinal artery (anterior cord syndrome) - associated with abnormal aortic surgery)
Presentation - weakness, upper extremities > lower extremities in the setting of a hyperextension injury in individuals 50+ y/p
Central cord syndrome
Presentation - temporary, concussive-like syndrome associated with flaccid paralysis below the level of injury with loss of all reflexes, as well as urinary and rectal tone
Spinal shock
What is neurogenic shock?
Hemodynamic state wherein sympathetic outflow through the spinal cord has been disrupted, resulting in vasodilation, bradycardia, and dangerous hypotension
Work-up of suspected C-spine injury (discuss utility of XR, CT, MRI)
X-ray - AP, lateral, and odontoid (open-mouth)
CT - vertebral fractures, hematomas or disk fragments in the spinal canal
MRI - injury to the spinal cord itself in patients with neuro deficits
Detect abnormalities in patients with SCIWORA (SC injury without radiographic abnormality)?
MRI
Management of C-Spine injury?
- Rigid cervical collar on a spine board
- Early closed reduction with tongs or halo traction devices for awake patients with obvious subluxation on imaging causing spinal cord compression
- IV fluids
- Vasopressors (phenylephrine or dopamine) if neurogenic shock
- Foley catheter
- Stool softeners
- VTE PPX
Complication of exposure of the anterior cervical spine?
Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (hoarseness, risk of aspiration)
Initial H&P in a patient with LOC following head trauma?
Confusion, LOC, decreased level of consciousness, amnesia
GCS
CN exam
Sensory/motor exam
Define severe TBI based on GCS?
8 or less
GCS Scoring (3 categories)
- Eye opening response (4 points)
- Verbal Response (5 points)
- Motor response (6 points)
4 eyes
Jackson 5
V6 engine
GCS Scoring (eye opening response)
4 Spontaneous
3 Opens to command
2 Opens to pain
1 None
GCS scoring (verbal response)
5 Oriented 4 Confused speech 3 Inappropriate words 2 Incomprehensible 1 None
GCS scoring (motor response)
6 Follows commands 5 Localizes pain 4 Withdraws to pain 3 Flexion 2 Extension 1 None
Racoon’s eyes (periorbital ecchymoses) and Battle’s sign (postauricular ecchymoses) are signs of ___.
Basilar skull fracture
Presentation - HTN, bradycardia, respiratory irregularity
Cushing’s triad -> intracranial HTN