Spinal Cord Syndromes

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Spinal cord syndromes Ivana Pavlinac Dodig, M.D., Ph.D. Damage to corticospinal tract Lower motor neuron paralysis Upper motor neuron paralysis loss of voluntary movement loss of voluntary movement flaccid paralysis spasticity loss of muscle tone increased deep tendon reflexes atrophy of muscles loss of superficial reflexes loss of all reflexes Babinski sign Spinal cord transection - spinal shock y Loss in muscle tone, motor function, reflex activity, visceral and somatic sensation y Spinal shock (1-6 weeks): • Attenuated or absent all spinal reflexes • Impaired bowel and bladder function ¾ Recovery: 1. Minimal reflexes and Babinski sign 2. Flexor spasms 3. Alternate flexor and extensor spasms 4. Extensor spasms Brown-Sequard syndrome Characteristics Reason Contralateral Loss of pain and temperature sensations Spinothalamic pathway breakdown Upper motor neuron paralysis Corticospinal pathway breakdown Ipsilateral Loss of conscious proprioception and two-point Dorsal columns breakdown discriminaton Upper motor neuron paralysis Corticospinal pathway breakdown Segmental lower motor neuron paralysis Ventral roots (and horns) breakdown Segmental loss of all sensations Dorsal roots (and horns) breakdown Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) y Upper and lower motor neuron y Involuntary twitching of muscle fascicles (fasciculations) y Impaired bladder and bowel functions (autonomic system) y Progressive degenerative disease y Cause not known! Syringomyelia y Expansion of the central canal and glial proliferation y Lower cervical and upper thoracic cord y Segmental loss of pain and temperature sensation y Tactile sensation is largely preserved – dissociated sensory loss Tabes dorsalis y Tertiary syphilis (neurosyphilis) y Dorsal root ganglion and dorsal columns degeneration y Lower thoracic and lumbosacral segments y Loss of vibration sense, two-point discrimination and conscious proprioception (ataxia) Combined system disease y Vitamin B12 deficiency – pernicious anemia y Degeneration of dorsal and lateral funiculi y Defects in motor (upper motor neuron dysfunction) and sensory functions (tingling, loss of vibration and position senses).

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A Rare Case of Tabes Dorsalis
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