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What is a potential consequence of spinal cord disorders if left untreated?
What is a potential consequence of spinal cord disorders if left untreated?
What is a common symptom of spinal cord disorders?
What is a common symptom of spinal cord disorders?
What is used to diagnose spinal cord disorders?
What is used to diagnose spinal cord disorders?
What is a possible cause of spinal cord compression?
What is a possible cause of spinal cord compression?
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What is an example of a spinal cord disorder caused by an infection?
What is an example of a spinal cord disorder caused by an infection?
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What is a potential treatment for spinal cord disorders?
What is a potential treatment for spinal cord disorders?
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What is a type of spinal cord disorder that occurs inside the spinal cord?
What is a type of spinal cord disorder that occurs inside the spinal cord?
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What is a potential cause of spinal cord damage?
What is a potential cause of spinal cord damage?
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What is the most common cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the most common cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is the name of the bundle of nerves affected in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the name of the bundle of nerves affected in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is the urgent investigation required to confirm the cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the urgent investigation required to confirm the cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is the time frame for performing surgical decompression in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the time frame for performing surgical decompression in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is the characteristic symptom of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the characteristic symptom of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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Who is more likely to be affected by Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Who is more likely to be affected by Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is the possible outcome of delayed treatment in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the possible outcome of delayed treatment in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is the location of the cauda equina in the spine?
What is the location of the cauda equina in the spine?
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What is one of the traumatic causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is one of the traumatic causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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Which of the following is a motor symptom of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Which of the following is a motor symptom of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is the term for numbness or 'pins-and-needles' sensations in the groin and inner thighs?
What is the term for numbness or 'pins-and-needles' sensations in the groin and inner thighs?
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Which of the following autonomic symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome affects bladder innervation?
Which of the following autonomic symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome affects bladder innervation?
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What is the term for a birth defect that can cause Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the term for a birth defect that can cause Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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Which of the following sensory symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome affects the lower back?
Which of the following sensory symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome affects the lower back?
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What is the term for trouble eliminating urine or waste in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
What is the term for trouble eliminating urine or waste in Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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Which of the following is a late symptom of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Which of the following is a late symptom of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
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What is neurogenic bladder?
What is neurogenic bladder?
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What is the characteristic of acute neurogenic bladder?
What is the characteristic of acute neurogenic bladder?
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What is the characteristic of sensory atonic bladder?
What is the characteristic of sensory atonic bladder?
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What is the characteristic of autonomic or autonomous bladder?
What is the characteristic of autonomic or autonomous bladder?
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What is transverse myelitis?
What is transverse myelitis?
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What is a common symptom of transverse myelitis?
What is a common symptom of transverse myelitis?
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What is the characteristic of transverse myelitis in terms of the affected area of the spinal cord?
What is the characteristic of transverse myelitis in terms of the affected area of the spinal cord?
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What is the characteristic of the progression of transverse myelitis?
What is the characteristic of the progression of transverse myelitis?
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What sensations do some people with transverse myelitis report?
What sensations do some people with transverse myelitis report?
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What is a common symptom of transverse myelitis in the legs?
What is a common symptom of transverse myelitis in the legs?
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What bowel problem may occur in people with transverse myelitis?
What bowel problem may occur in people with transverse myelitis?
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What is a possible cause of transverse myelitis?
What is a possible cause of transverse myelitis?
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Which condition can cause inflammation and myelin loss around the spinal cord and the nerve in the eye?
Which condition can cause inflammation and myelin loss around the spinal cord and the nerve in the eye?
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What is a possible complication of transverse myelitis?
What is a possible complication of transverse myelitis?
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What is a characteristic of transverse myelitis as a sign of multiple sclerosis?
What is a characteristic of transverse myelitis as a sign of multiple sclerosis?
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What is the exact reason for transverse myelitis?
What is the exact reason for transverse myelitis?
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Study Notes
Overview of Spinal Cord Disorders
- Spinal cord disorders can cause permanent severe problems, such as paralysis or impaired bladder and bowel control (urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence).
- Quick evaluation and treatment can help avoid or minimize these problems.
- Causes of spinal cord disorders include injuries, infections, a blocked blood supply, and compression by a fractured bone or a tumor.
- Symptoms of spinal cord disorders include weak or paralyzed muscles, abnormal or lost sensation, and difficulty controlling bladder and bowel function.
- Diagnosis is based on symptoms and results of a physical examination and imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Treatment involves correcting the underlying condition causing the disorder, and often requires rehabilitation to recover as much function as possible.
Causes of Spinal Cord Disorders
- Outside the spinal cord:
- Injuries
- Compression of the spinal cord (e.g., by bone, blood, tumor, or disk)
- Blockage of the blood supply
- Inside the spinal cord:
- Fluid-filled cavities (syrinxes)
- Blockage of the blood supply
- Inflammation (e.g., acute transverse myelitis)
- Tumors, abscesses, bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency, copper deficiency
- Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), COVID-19, multiple sclerosis, or syphilis
- Radiation therapy
Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Caused by severe compression of the nerve roots in the lumbar spine, often due to an acute lumbar disc herniation.
- Symptoms include:
- Low back pain
- Pain radiating down the leg
- Numbness around the anus
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Saddle-like paresthesias (abnormal sensations)
- Diagnosis is made clinically, with urgent MRI to confirm the cause.
- Treatment involves prompt surgical decompression, ideally within 24 hours, or absolutely within 48 hours.
Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Motor:
- Muscle weakness or paralysis in one or both legs
- Weakness of the muscles of the lower legs (often paraplegia)
- Achilles (ankle) reflex absent on both sides
- Absent superficial reflexes
- Gait disturbance
- Sensory:
- Severe low back pain
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in one or both legs
- Later hypoesthesia or anaesthesia in affected dermatome
- Loss or altered sensations in the legs, buttocks, inner thighs, backs of legs, or feet
- Saddle anaesthesia (numbness or "pins-and-needles" sensations)
- Autonomic:
- Sphincteric dysfunction
- Sensory atonic bladder or motor atonic bladder
- Vasomotor and trophic changes
- Recent problem with bladder or bowel function (retention or incontinence)
- Sexual dysfunction
Neurogenic Bladder
- A condition in which problems with the nervous system affect the bladder and urination
- Types:
- A.UMNL (Upper Motor Neuron Lesion):
- Acute: retention of urine with overflow
- Gradual: partial lesion causing precipitancy of micturition or complete lesion causing automatic bladder
- B.LMNL (Lower Motor Neuron Lesion):
- Sensory atonic bladder: absence of sense of fullness of bladder, overflow retention of urine
- Motor atonic bladder: preservation of sense of fullness of bladder, retention of urine with moderate size of bladder, inability to evacuate bladder voluntarily
- Autonomic or autonomous bladder: incomplete, irregular, and involuntary evacuation of the bladder
- A.UMNL (Upper Motor Neuron Lesion):
Transverse Myelitis
- Definition: An inflammation of both sides of one section of the spinal cord, often damaging the insulating material covering nerve cell fibers (myelin)
- Signs and symptoms:
- Pain, often beginning suddenly in the lower back, with sharp pain shooting down to the legs or arms
- Abnormal sensations, such as numbness, tingling, coldness, or burning
- Weakness in arms or legs, sometimes with severe weakness or total paralysis
- Bladder and bowel problems, such as urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating, and constipation
- Causes:
- Viral and other infections, including herpes viruses, which can infect the spinal cord directly
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic's disease)
- Rarely, parasites or bacteria, such as Lyme disease, can cause a painful inflammation of nerve roots of the spinal cord
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Description
This quiz covers the causes and effects of spinal cord disorders, including potential permanent problems and the importance of quick evaluation and treatment.
