EXAM 3: HSP

Question 1

What is HSP?

Answer 1

HEREDITARY SPASTIC PARAPLEGIA
degeneration of corticospinal tract and dorsal column fibers characterized by:
-progressive mm weakness
-increased tone
-spasticity of LEs
-predominant clinical feature: GAIT disturbances

Question 2

children with HSP are often misdiagnosed with _

Answer 2

CP

*they might be diagnosed as a child or later get it as an adult

Question 3

2 big gait deviations in children with HSP that are different than CP

Answer 3

1. huge truncal sway
   and/or
2. retraction of the neck

Question 4

What in subjective history is making you suspicious that a child may have HSP and not CP?

Answer 4

1. genetic (uncle also has “CP” - HSP is genetic, CP is not)
2. full term birth (CP is a pre term birth association)