Cervical Thoracic spine clinical conditions

Question 1

What is cervical spondylosis?

Answer 1

Degenerative osteoarthritis
of intervertebral joints
in cervical spine

Question 2

What are the intervertebral joints?

Answer 2

Between vertebral bodies

Between facets x2

Question 3

What is compressed as a result of cervical spondylosis?

Answer 3

Nerve roots

Spinal cord

Question 4

What does compression of the nerve roots lead to?

Answer 4

Radiculopathy

Question 5

What is radiculopathy?

Answer 5

Dermatomal sensory symptoms

Myotomal motor weakness

Question 6

What are some dermatomal sensory symptoms?

Answer 6

Paraesthesia

Pain

Question 7

What does compression of the spinal cord lead to?

Answer 7

Myelopathy

Question 8

What is myelopathy?

Answer 8

Global weakness

Gait dysfunction
Loss of blanace

Loss of bowel and bladder control

Question 9

What are the types of C2 axis fractures?

Answer 9

Hangman’s fracture

Peg fracture

Question 10

What part of C2 axis is fractures in a hangman’s fracture?

Answer 10

Pars interarticularis

on both side (polo mint principle)

Question 11

What happens after hangman’s fracture?

Answer 11

Forward displacement of C1 and body of C2

on C3 vertebrae

Question 12

What is the consequence of the displacement in a hangman’s fracture?

Answer 12

Transaction of cord - death

in extreme cases

Question 13

What causes a hangman’s fracture?

Answer 13

Hyperextension of head on neck

Question 14

What is a peg fracture?

Answer 14

Fracture at base of dens

detaching it from C2 axis

Question 15

What causes a peg fracture?

Answer 15

Blow to back of head

e.g. falling against wall

Question 16

What scans are done for a peg fracture?

Answer 16

Open mouth AP X-ray
MRI

Because it’s difficult to see on a lateral x-ray as it’s covered up by other structures

Question 17

What is an example of a C1 atlas fracture?

Answer 17

Jefferson’s fracture

Question 18

What part of C1 atlas is fractures in a Jefferson’s fracture?

Answer 18

Anterior and posterior arches of atlas

Question 19

What causes a Jefferson’s fracture?

Answer 19

Skull is driven into it
Atlas expands radially
Breaks in two places (polo mint principle)

Question 20

Give some examples of injuries that may give a Jefferson’s fracture

Answer 20

Diving into shallow water

Impact against roof of vehicle

Question 21

What are the consequences of a Jefferson’s fracture?

Answer 21

Pain

No neurological symptoms

Damage to arteries at base of skull

Question 22

Why are there no neurological symptoms with a Jefferson’s fracture?

Answer 22

Large vertebral foramen

Question 23

What does damage to the arteries at the base of the skull lead to?

Answer 23

Secondary neurological sequelae

Question 24

What are some secondary neurological sequalae?

Answer 24

Ataxia

Horner’s syndrome

Question 25

Horner syndrome info

Answer 25

Damage to sympathetic trunk Gives miosis - constricted pupil ptosis - weak droopy eyelid anhydrosis - decreased sweating

Question 26

What is whiplash injury caused by?

Answer 26

Hyperextension | then hyperflexion

Question 27

What is damaged in whiplash injury?

Answer 27

No identifiable structure is damaged

Question 28

What are the symptoms of whiplash injury?

Answer 28

Neck pain

Question 29

Why is the cervical spine prone to whiplash injury?

Answer 29

More mobile | lack of stability

Question 30

How do patients describe a cervical prolapsed disc?

Answer 30

Waking up with pain

Question 31

What are the causes of cervical myelopathy?

Answer 31

Osteoarthritis of cervical spine - osteophytes Thickened ligamentum flavum

Question 32

What are the causes of thoracic cord compression?

Answer 32

Fracture of vertebra, bony fragments in canal Tumour developing in spinal canal