Spinal Region Syndromes
The defining differences between cauda equina syndrome and conus medullaris syndrome
what is sexual dysfunction?
initially presents as a LMN issue (flaccid)
what is spinal shock?
This structure is the terminal end of the spinal cord.
What is the conus medullaris?
this type of reflex is the biggest red flag. Send patient to ER
what is cauda equina lesion?
An abnormal response in which the great toe extends upward and the other toes fan out.
What is the Babinski sign?
This syndrome occurs with a lesion in the central spinal cord, affecting crossing spinothalamic tract fibers and leading to bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation.
What is central cord syndrome?
Loss of muscle power and spasticity below the level of a spinal cord injury are signs of this type of motor neuron lesion
What is an upper motor neuron lesion?
These nerve roots extend from the conus medullaris, resembling a horse’s tail.
What is the cauda equina?
A lesion in this region of the spinal cord may cause bilateral somatosensory loss, incoordination due to impaired sensory input to the cerebellum, and signs of upper motor neuron dysfunction.
What is the spinal cord?
Damage to the anterior spinal cord results in loss of these two sensory modalities below the level of the lesion.
What are pain and temperature?
Damage to the C5-C6 nerve roots leads to this brachial plexus injury, commonly seen in birth trauma
What is Erb’s palsy?
Damage to this area causes loss of bladder and bowel function, severe back pain, and leg weakness but typically with preserved reflexes
What is conus medullaris syndrome?
The spinal cord receives its blood supply from these two major artery types
What are the vertebral and medullary arteries?
Intermittent pain in the lower extremities that worsens with walking and improves with rest, along with decreased pulses and skin changes, may indicate this vascular condition.
What is intermittent claudication?
clonus and positive Babinski, along with decrease or loss of muscle power, spasticity, muscle hypertonia
what are vertical tract signs?
This syndrome is caused by a loss of blood supply to the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord, often leading to loss of motor function and pain/temperature sensation, while proprioception and vibration remain intact.
What is Anterior Cord Syndrome?
This spinal cord injury complication is characterized by dangerously high blood pressure and autonomic instability.
What is autonomic dysreflexia?
The spinal nerve divides into these two branches after exiting the intervertebral foramen.
What are the dorsal and ventral rami?
what is cauda equina lesion?
reflexes are protective and not hardwired. examples include stepping reflex and bladder/bowel reflexes
what are spinal cord reflexes? (as opposed to brainstem)
unlike other spinal cord injuries, this syndrome does not produce spasticity or hyperreflexia, but results in flaccid paralysis, loss of lower limb reflexes, and bowel/bladder dysfunction. complete lesions are rare in this syndrome
what is cauda equina syndrome?
A lesion that affects one side of the spinal cord can result in this syndrome, characterized by ipsilateral loss of motor function and fine touch, with contralateral loss of pain and temperature.
What is Brown-Séquard syndrome?
The anterior spinal artery supplies this fraction of the spinal cord.
What is the anterior two-thirds?
patients with cervical myelopathy may present with these two classic signs, indicating upper motor neuron dysfunction.
this reflex being intact indicates a chance for recovery after SCI
what is rectal reflex?