Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Question 1

Complete Lesion

Answer 1

A lesion to the spinal cord where there is no preserved motor or sensory function below the level of the lesion

Question 2

Incomplete Lesion

Answer 2

A lesion to the spinal cord with incomplete damage to the cord. There may be scattered motor function, sensory function or both below the level of the lesion.

Question 3

Anterior Cord Syndrome

Answer 3

Incomplete Lesion

• usually caused by compression or damage to the anterior part of the spinal cord or the anterior spinal artery
• Bilateral loss of motor function and pain and temperature sense below the lesion due to damage of the

(corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts)

Question 4

MOI for a Anterior Cord Syndrome Lesion

Answer 4

Cervical Flexion

Question 5

What tracts are damaged in Anterior Cord Syndrome

Answer 5

Corticospinal Tract (motor function)

Spinothalamic Tract (pain and temperature)

Question 6

Brown-Sequard’s Syndrome

Answer 6

Incomplete lesion usually due to a stab wound

• produces (hemisection) to the spinal cord

Question 7

What tracts are damaged in Brown-Sequards Syndrome

Answer 7

Corticospinal Tract: (Motor) Paralysis (ipsilateral)

Dorsal Column (DCML): Loss of vibratory and proprioceptive sense (ipsilateral)

Lateral Spinothalamic Tract: Loss of Pain and Temperature Sense (contralateral)

Question 8

Cauda-Equina Injuries

Answer 8

Injury that occurs below the [L1 spinal level] where the long nerve roots transcend.

• can be complete, but are often incomplete due to the large number of nerve roots in the area

Question 9

Cauda-Equina injury: peripheral or central?

Answer 9

Considered a peripheral nerve injury

Question 10

Characteristics of Cauda-Equina Injuries

Answer 10

Flaccidity

Areflexia:(lack of neuromuscular reflexes)

Impairment of bowel and bladder function

Question 11

Central Cord Syndrome

Answer 11

Incomplete lesion that results from compression and damage to the central portion of the spinal cord.

Question 12

MOI for Central Cord Syndrome

and

What tracts are damaged?

Answer 12

Cervical Hyperextension

Damages the:
- Spinothalamic Tracts
- Corticospinal Tracts
- Dorsal columns (DCML)

(So okay… basically everything)

Question 13

Central Cord Syndrome: what are the most affected?

Answer 13

Upper extremities > lower extremities

Motor Deficits > Sensory Deficits

Question 14

Posterior Cord Syndrome

Answer 14

Caused by compression of the posterior spinal artery

Loss Of:
- proprioception
- Two Point Discrimination
- Stereognosis

[MOTOR FUNCTION PRESERVED]

Question 15

What artery is involved with Anterior Cord Syndrome?

Answer 15

Anterior Spinal Artery

Question 16

What artery is involved with Posterior Cord Syndrome?

Answer 16

Posterior Spinal Artery

Question 17

What is the most likely cause of Brown-Sequard Syndrome?

Answer 17

Stab Wound