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Pathophysiology II > Spine > Flashcards

Flashcards in Spine Deck (29)
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1
Q

What two components make up the intervertebral discs?

A

Annulus fibrosis (outside)

Nucleus pulpouses (inside)

2
Q

What is the cause of a bulging disk?

A

Swelling in the annulus

3
Q

What is the cause of a disc herniation?

A

Nucleus polpouses extrudes into the periphery

4
Q

What is a laminectomy defect?

A

Removal of the Lamina in order to remove an affected disc

5
Q

What is a discogram?

A

Invasive diagnostic study that uses x-rays to view the intervertebral discs.

Dye must be injected into the discs in order for them to be visible

6
Q

What is a myelopathy?

A

Compression of the spinal cord

7
Q

What is radiculopathy?

A

Disease in the root of the nerve (pinched nerve/tumor)

8
Q

What is a spinal stenosis?

A

Narrowing of the spinal canal/Forman

9
Q

What is double crush syndrome?

A

Injury to one area increases the susceptibility of injury to the same structure in a different area

Cervical herniation and carpal tunnel result in compression of the median nerve

10
Q

What is spondyloisthesis? What causes this defect?

A

Slipped disc

Caused by a defect in the pars articularis

Most are benign and developmental

11
Q

What is the classic representation of AAA?

A

Back pain

12
Q

What is a retroperitoneal neoplasm?

A

Pancreatic tumor

13
Q

What is a biliary colic?

A

Gall stones

14
Q

What is spinal shock? What reflex is used to test for spinal shock?

A

Combination of areflexia and hyporeflexia that occurs after an SC injury

Bulbocaverneous reflex

15
Q

List the 5 incomplete cord syndromes.

A
Anterior Cord Syndrome 
Posterior Cord Syndrome 
Central Cord Syndrome 
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Cauda Equina Syndrome
16
Q

What kind of damage is seen in anterior cord syndrome?

A

Common, profound motor loss

17
Q

What kind of damage is seen in posterior cord syndrome?

A

Uncommon, sensory and proprioceptive loss

18
Q

What kind of damage occurs with central cord syndrome?

A

MOST COMMON CERVICAL SC INJURY

Loss of motion and sensation in UE

19
Q

What kind of damage is seen in Brown Sequard syndrome?

A

Ipsilateral motor loss

Contralateral sensory loss

20
Q

What kind of damage is seen in cauda equina syndrome?

A

MEDICAL EMERGENCY, SURGERY ASAP

Pain, numbness, poor bowel/bladder control

21
Q

What are the indications and advantages of an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)?

A

Painful DJD of lumbar spine

Does not disturb lumbar musculature

22
Q

What approach is typically taken for a cervical fusion? What is the exception to this approach?

A

Done anteriorly for safety

If spinal stenosis is present, posterior approach is taken

23
Q

What are the objectives/goals of surgery for vertebral compression fractures? (Kyphosis/vertebroplasty)

A

Pain reduction

Reduce deformity

24
Q

What is the difference between a kyphoplasty and a vertebroplasty?

A

Kyphoplasty uses a small balloon to reduce fracture

Vertebroplasty inserts cement into affected area to reduce fracture

BOTH LIFT BONE GENTLY INTO PROPER ALIGNMENT

25
Q

What are the potential complications of kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty?

A

Allergic reaction
Nerve damage
Pulmonary embolus
Cement leakage into epidural space

26
Q

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty should be down within how many weeks of a fracture?

A

8 weeks

27
Q

What are the indications for a posterior lumbar interbody fusion? (PLIF)

A

Spondlyolisthesis
Discogenic LBP
Radicular Pain

28
Q

What are the advantages of a ALIF?

A

Allows for decompression of the SC
Increased fusion rate as compared to PLIF
Better stabilization because of larger implants

Better ability to reduce compression with combined approach

29
Q

What are the disadvantages of PLIF?

A

Lower fusion rate

Small risk of retro pulsed cage