diseases of the spinal cord and nerve roots Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in diseases of the spinal cord and nerve roots Deck (22)
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1
Q

what are some medical causes of myelopathy or radiculopathy?

A
inflammation
infarction
infiltration
infection
degenerative
2
Q

what is myelopathy?

A

disease of the spinal cord

3
Q

what are some surgical causes of myelopathy or radiculopathy?

A

tumour
vascula abnormalities (haemorrhage, dural fistula)
degenerative
trauma

4
Q

what are some motor signs of upper motor neurone pathology?

A

no wasting
increased tone
increased reflexes
pyramidal pattern of weakeness

5
Q

what are some motor signs of lower motor neurone pathology?

A

wasting
decreased tone
decreased reflexes
weakness

6
Q

what are some sensory signs of radiculopathy?

A

dermatomal pattern of sensory loss

7
Q

what are the symptoms of brown sequard syndrome?

A

paralysis and loss of proprioception on the ipsilateral side and a loss of pain and temperature sensation on the contralateral side

8
Q

what are some signs of a C5 cord lesion?

A

wasting of C5 innervated muscles
increased tone in the lower limb compared to the upper limb
decreased reflexes in the biceps
increased reflexes in everything below the biceps
decreased power in C5 innervated muscles

9
Q

what are some causes of spinal cord ischaemia?

A
atheromatous disease
arterial dissection
vasculitis
venous occlusion
systemic hypotension
10
Q

how does a spinal cord stroke typically present?

A
can be sudden or gradual onset
back pain and visceral referred pain
weakness (usually paraparesis)
numbness and paraesthesia
urinary symptoms
11
Q

what can account for the symptoms of a spinal cord stroke?

A

partial brown sequard syndome

spinal shock

12
Q

what can present as a partial brown sequard syndrome?

A

occlusion of a central sulcal artery

13
Q

how is a spinal cord stroke treated?

A
maintain adequate BP
bed rest
reverse hypovolaemia/arrythmia
OT and physiotherapy
manage vascular risk factors
14
Q

what is demyelinating myelitis characterised by?

A

pathological lesions of inflammation and demyelination leading to temporary neuronal dysfunction

15
Q

what area of the spinal cord does demyelinating myelitis affect?

A

white matter

16
Q

what can demyelination myelinitis by the initial presentation of?

A

MS

17
Q

what kind of onset does demyelation myelitis have?

A

subacute onset which is slower than ischaemia

18
Q

what drugs are used to treat MS myelitis?

A

methylprednisolone

19
Q

what imaging tests are used to investigate myelitis in MS?

A

MRI

20
Q

what can cause transverse myelitis?

A
idiopathic
viral
autoimmune
malignancies
post vaccination
21
Q

what vitamin deficiency affects most of the nervous system?

A

B12

22
Q

what are some signs of B12 deficiency myelopathy?

A

paraesthesia hands and feet, areflexia