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Flashcards in Diseases of spinal cord Deck (57)
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1
Q

What are disorders of the spinal cord called?

A

Myelopathies

2
Q

What are diseases of the nerve root called?

A

Radiculopathies

3
Q

Diseases of the UMN are called _____

A

Myelopathies

4
Q

Diseases if LMNs are called _____

A

Radiculopathies

5
Q

What are the signs of UMN lesion?

A

Weakness
Increased tone (spasticity)
Increased reflex
Positive Babinski reflex

6
Q

What are signs of LMN lesions?

A

Weakness
Decreased reflexes
Decreased tone
Flexor plantar

7
Q

What syndrome is associated with Hemicord lesion?

A

Brown - Sequard syndrome

8
Q

What sensory loss will be observed with radiculopathy?

A

Dermatomal sensory loss

9
Q

If there is C5 lesion, what symptoms will be observed?

A

Wasting of muscles innervating C5

UMN lesion symptoms will be observed in the lower limbs.
Brisk reflexes
Increased tone (spasticity)
Sensory level

10
Q

What are some of the acquired causes of myelopathy?

A

Inflammation
Infective
Vascular
Metabolic

11
Q

In ischaemic myelopathy, where is the infract commonly observed?

A

Anterior spinal artery

Thoracic spine

12
Q

What are some of the causes of spinal cord ischaemia?

A
Artheromatous disease
Thromboembolic disease
Arterial dissection 
Systemic hypotension 
Vascultis
13
Q

What ares of the s & s’s of spinal cord stroke?

A

Pain in back, radiating
Weakness - paraparesis
Numbness
Urinary symptoms

14
Q

What treatment can be administered in cases of spinal cord stroke?

A

Reduce vascular risk factors:
Maintain BP
Antiplatelet therapy

15
Q

What is demyelinating myelitis usually caused by?

A

Multiple sclerosis

16
Q

What area of the spinal cord does MS affect?

A

White matter tracts in spinal cord

17
Q

What eye related condition is associated with MS?

A

Optic neuritis

18
Q

What treatment can be given in MS myelitis?

A

Steroids

Supportive therapy

19
Q

What is a metabolic cause of myelitis?

A

Vit B12 deficiency

20
Q

How is VitB12 absorbed from the gut?

A

By intrinsic factor complex

21
Q

What is pernicious anaemia?

A

Autoimmune condition whereby ABs are produced against Intrinsic factor preventing B12 absorption

22
Q

How can VitB12 deficiency affect the NS?

A

Myelopathy
Peripheral neuropathy
Brain
Eye/optic nerve

23
Q

What are the different parts of the intervertebral disc called?

A

Annulus fibrosis

Nucleus pulposus

24
Q

What are the different ligaments associated with the vertebral column?

A

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum falvum

25
Q

What type of fibres are present in ventral/dorsal rami?

A

Mixed - sensory & motor

26
Q

What type of fibres are present in spinal nerve?

A

Mixed

27
Q

What type of fibres are present in dorsal root?

A

Sensory

28
Q

What type of fibres are present in ventral root?

A

Motor

29
Q

Where does the spinal cord extend from/to?

A

C1-L2

30
Q
What are the signs of an UMN lesion?
Weakness
Atrophy
Reflexes
Tone
Fasciculations
Babinski
A
Present 
Absent 
Increased
Increased 
Absent 
Present (extensor)
31
Q
What are the signs of an LMN lesion?
Weakness
Atrophy
Reflexes
Tone
Fasciculations
Babinski
A
Present 
Present 
Decreased
Decreased
Present 
Absent (Flexor)
32
Q

Where are LMNs found?

A

Ventral horn of spinal cor

33
Q

If the spinal cord is lesioned at C5, what will be observed?

A

Myelopathy (UMN Lesion)

Signs of UMN lesion will be observed in the legs

34
Q

If there is a lesion of the nerve root at L4 what will be observed?

A

Radiculopathy (LMN lesion)
Numbness in L4 dermatome
Reduced knee jerk reflex
Weakness in ankle dorsiflexion

35
Q

What is a disc prolapse?

A

An acute herniation of the IV disc causing compression of the spinal roots or cord

36
Q

If there is central IV disc prolapse in the lumbar region what will be observed?

A

CES

37
Q

If there is central IV disc prolapse in the CERVICAL region what will be observed?

A

Cervical myelopathy

38
Q

Where are the most common areas in the spine for disc prolapse?

A

Cervical & lumbar (most mobile)

39
Q

If there is lateral herniation of IV disc what will be observed ?

A

Radiculopathy

40
Q

What symptoms will be experienced in disc prolapse?

A

Numbness & weakness in nerve distribution

Acute pain down leg/arm

41
Q

What treatment can be administered for disc prolapse?

A

Rehabilitation -physio
Nerve root injection
Lumber/ cervical discectomy

42
Q

What are the 3 red flag signs of Cauda Equina?

A

Bilateral sciatica
Urinary dysfunction
Saddle parasthesia

43
Q

What treatment is required for CES?

A

Emergency lumber discectomy

44
Q

What is Cauda equine syndrome?

A

Disc herniation in lumbar region results in compression of the roots

45
Q

What is cervical spondylosis?

A

Degenerative disease of the cervical spine resulting in spine & nerve root compression

46
Q

In what disease is spinal claudication observed? (pain down both legs)

A

Lumber spinal stenosis

47
Q

What are the different types of spinal tumours?

A

Intramedullary
Intradural
Extradural

48
Q

What are some of the causes of intramedullary tumour?

A

Astrocytoma

Ependymoma

49
Q

What are some of the causes of intradural tumour?

A

Meningioma
Neurofibroma
Lipoma

50
Q

What are some of the causes of extradural tumour?

A

Metastasis to bone (lung, prostate & breast)

Primary bone tumours

51
Q

What are the different spinal infections?

A

Osteomyelitis
Discitis
Epidural Abscess

52
Q

What are the 3 main presenting complaints of epidural abscesses?

A

Back pain
Pyrexia
Focal neurological - weakness/ numbess

53
Q

What bacterial orgs cause epidural abscesses?

A

E. coli
S. aureus
Streptococcus

54
Q

What are the risk factors for epidural abscess?

A

IV DUs
Alcoholics
Chronic kidney disease
Diabetes

55
Q

What is the treatment for epidural abscess?

A

Surgical decompression

IV ABIs

56
Q

What is osteomyelitis?

A

Infection of the vertebral body

57
Q

What are the risk factors for osteomyelitis?

A
Diabetes
IVDU
CKD
Alcoholism 
AIDs