Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

ATLS > Spine and spinal cord trauma > Flashcards

Spine and spinal cord trauma Flashcards

(57 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Signs of spinal shock

A

Hypotension
Bradycardia
Signs of high neurologic deficit (eg lack of limb movement)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Other injuries associated with C spine fractures

A

Brain injury

Another non-contiguous spine fracture in 10% pts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Level of spinal cord injury associated with neurogenic shock

A

T6 and higher

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Mechanism of neurogenic shock

A

Distributive shock from lack of vasomotor tone

Injury to sympathetic fibres that maintain vascular tone and heart rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Three spinal cord tracts that can be examined clinically

A

Dorsal column (gracile fasciculus, cuneate fasciculus )

Lateral corticospinal tract

Spinothalamic tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Dermatome definition

A

Area of skin innervated by a particular nerve root

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Sensory level definition

A

The lowest dermatome with normal sensory function

Can differ between sides of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How to document spinal cord injury assessment

A

ASIA worksheet

(American Spinal Injury Association)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Muscle strength grading score 5

A

Normal strength

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Muscle strength grading score 4

A

Full ROM but less than normal strength

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Muscle strength grading score 3

A

Full ROM against gravity but not against resistance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Muscle strength grading score 2

A

Full ROM with gravity eliminated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Muscle strength grading score 1

A

Palpable or visible contraction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Muscle strength grading score 0

A

Total paralysis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Muscle strength grading score NT

A

Not testable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Myotome C5

A

Deltoid abduction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Myotome C6

A

Biceps flexion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Myotome C7

A

Triceps extension

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Myotome C8

A

Wrist extension (radial test)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Myotome T1

A

Finger abduction (ulnar test)

Or

Grip strength

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Myotome L2

A

Hip flexion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Myotome L3 / L4

A

Knee extension

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Myotome L5

Study These Flashcards
A

Knee flexion

or

Big toe extension

24
Q

Myotome S2, S3, S4

25
Neurogenic shock definition
Loss of vasomotor tone and sympathetic innervation to the heart Causes hypotension and inability to mount tachycardic response Physiologic effects NOT reversed with fluid resuscitation alone
26
Spinal shock definition
Loss of muscle tone and reflexes immediately after spinal cord injury Spasticity
27
Consequences of spinal injury on other organ systems
Resp failure due to paralysis of respiratory muscles Inability to perceive pain - masks other serious injuries
28
Classification of spinal injuries
Level (Bony and neurological) Severity of neuro deficit Spinal cord syndromes Morphology
29
Bony level classification of spinal injury
Specific vertebral level at which bony damage has occurred
30
Neurological level classification of spinal injury
The most caudal segment of spinal cord with: - Normal sensory function AND - Motor function with muscle strength 3 or above
31
Severity of neurological deficit classification of spinal injury
Paraplegia Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia: - Complete - Incomplete
32
Injuries associated with paraplegia
Thoracic spinal injuries
33
Injuries associated with Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia
Cervical spinal injuries
34
Spinal cord syndromes
Central cord syndrome Anterior cord syndrome Brown-Sequard syndrome
35
Central cord syndrome
Disproportionate greater loss of motor strength in upper extremities than lower extremities Varying sensory loss
36
Anterior cord syndrome
Injury to motor and sensory pathways in anterior cord Paraplegia and loss of pain / temperature sensation
37
Brown-Sequard syndrome
(Often penetrating) injury to one side of the spinal cord Ipsilateral motor loss and loss of proprioception Contralateral loss of pain / temperature sensation 1 or 2 levels below injury level
38
Morphology classification of spinal injuries
Fractures Fracture-dislocations SCIWORA Penetrating injuries All of above can be described as stable or unstable
39
SCIWORA
Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiological Abnormalities
40
C spine fracture mechanisms
Axial Flexion Extension Rotation Lateral bending Distraction
41
Most common level of C spine fracture
C5
42
Most common level of C spine subluxation
C5 on C6
43
Types of thoracic spine fractures
Anterior wedge compression Burst Chance fractures Fracture-dislocations
44
Mechanism of anterior wedge compression fractures
Axial loading with flexion
45
Mechanism of burst fractures
Vertical axial compression
46
Mechanism of Chance fractures
Flexion about an axis anterior to the vertebral column Eg lap seat belts Can be associated with abdo visceral / retroperitoneal injuries
47
Mechanism of fracture-dislocations of the thoracic spine
Extreme flexion OR Severe blunt trauma to spine
48
Level of Thoracolumbar junction
T11 through to L1
49
Mechanism of Thoracolumbar junction fractures
Acute hyperflexion + rotation
50
Considerations with Thoracolumbar junction fractures
Usually unstable Highly vulnerable to rotational movement - careful with logroll
51
Types of lumbar spine fractures
Similar to thoracic spine fractures
52
Spinal injuries associated with blunt carotid and vertebral artery injury
C1-C3 fractures C spine fracture with subluxation Fractures involving foramen transversarium
53
Potential complication of blunt carotid and vertebral artery injury
Stroke
54
Indication for MRI C spine
Neurological deficit but no radiographic evidence of fracture Look for soft tissue compressive lesions, contusions or ligamentous injury
55
Spinal immobilisation method
Lay patient on firm surface Rigid cervical collar Head blocks
56
When to suspect neurogenic shock
Persistent hypotension Bradycardia No active haemorrhage
57
Management of neurogenic shock
Avoid overzealous IV fluid Consider vasopressors

ATLS (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions