Spinal Cord Compression Flashcards
What is the function of the corticospinal tract?
facilitates voluntary movement
Where is the upper motor neurones? (in the corticospinal tract for example)
From motor cortex to the anterior grey horn of the spinal cord
What are the main upper motor neuron lesion signs?
Hyperreflexia
Increased tone
Spasticity
No muscle wasting or fasciculations
What are the lower motor neurone lesion signs
decreased tone
muscle wasting
fasiculations
diminished reflexes
What is the function of the spinothalamic tracts
Senses pain, temperature and crude touch
What is the function of the dorsal column
senses fine touch, proprioception, vibration
What would be possible causes of an acute spinal cord compression
trauma
tumours collapsing or haemorrhaging
infection
spontaneous haemorrhage
What are possible causes of chronic spinal cord compression
degenerative disease-spondylolisis
tumours
rheumatoid
What signs occur in a complete cord transection
All motor and sensory modalities affeces
Initially flaccid arreflexic paralysis due to spinal shock
Upper motor neuron signs will then emerge later
What signs occur in brown sequard syndrome
Ipsilateral paralysis
Ipsilateral loss of proprioception and fine touch
Contralateral loss of temp sensation and pain
What is central cord syndrome
results from trauma which causes damage to the neck, leading to major injury to the central grey matter of the spinal cord
-this results in upper limb weakness and a ‘cape like’ spinothalamic sensory loss
-lower limbs and dorsal columns
preserved
-usually occurs on older people who already have stenotic necks
How do chronic spinal cord compressions present
With upper motor neuron signs and no preceding paralysis etc.
What kind of tumours arise extradurally in the spine
Usually mets from lung, breast kidney or prostate
Name the intradural tumours that can occur in the spinal cord
Extrameduallary - meningioma, Schwannoma
Intrameduallry- Astrocytome, edendymoma
What can result in spinal canal stenosis
Osteophyte formation ie in OA
Bulging intervertebral discs
facet joint hypertrophy
Subluxation
