Spinal Cord Lesions and Syndromes

A patient presents with hyperreflexia, a positive Babinski sign, and bowel/bladder dysfunction. Where would you suspect the lesion is located?

A patient has lost pain and temperature sensation on the right side of the body and motor control on the left side of the body. What spinal cord syndrome is most likely?

Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic feature of spinal cord disease?

A patient experiences loss of pain and temperature sensation in a 'cape-like' distribution over the shoulders and upper back. Which condition is most likely?

Why is it clinically important to know that the spinal cord typically ends around the L1-L2 vertebral level?

A patient presents with loss of pain and temperature sensation on the right side of their body, starting two levels below the site of injury, and weakness on the left side. Which condition is MOST likely?

In Brown-Sequard syndrome, which of the following sensory deficits would be observed ipsilateral to the lesion?

A patient has an intramedullary astrocytoma resulting in Brown-Sequard syndrome. What is the MOST likely mechanism causing their motor deficits?

Damage to the spinothalamic tract causes loss of pain and temperature sensation on the contralateral side, starting one or two levels below the injury. What anatomical feature explains this?

A patient exhibits upper motor neuron signs, loss of pain and temperature sensation on their right side, and loss of vibration sense on their left side. Where is the MOST likely location of the lesion?

In Brown-Séquard syndrome, a lesion affecting the right side of the spinal cord would most likely result in which sensory deficit?

Why does the loss of pain and temperature sensation occur a few levels below the lesion in Brown-Séquard syndrome?

A patient with Brown-Séquard syndrome exhibits paralysis on one side of their body. Which descending tract is most likely affected to cause this?

In Brown-Séquard syndrome, what sensory function is affected ipsilaterally due to involvement of the dorsal column?

Which combination of deficits would most likely be observed in a patient with Brown-Séquard syndrome affecting the left side of the spinal cord at the T10 level?

A patient presents with weakness in their hands and legs, but retains strength in the proximal muscles of their arms. Where is the MOST likely location of the spinal cord lesion?

A patient has complete paralysis of the lower extremities after a traumatic injury. This condition is BEST described as:

After a spinal cord injury, a patient exhibits a temporary state of flaccid paralysis, loss of reflexes, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. What is the MOST likely cause of these symptoms?

A patient with a high cervical spinal cord injury is MOST at risk for which of the following complications?

Damage to the spinothalamic tract would MOST likely result in a deficit in which of the following?

Which of the following sensory modalities is transmitted via the posterior columns of the spinal cord?

A clinician observes the Babinski sign during a neurological examination. This finding suggests damage to which of the following?

A patient reports loss of urinary control (incontinence) and constipation following a spinal cord injury. This presentation is MOST consistent with:

In Central Cord Syndrome, smaller lesions primarily affect which ascending tract due to the interruption of decussating fibers?

Larger lesions in Central Cord Syndrome can additionally affect which of the following tracts?

Why are the upper extremities more affected than the lower extremities in Central Cord Syndrome?

Which sensory and motor deficits are characteristic of Central Cord Syndrome due to the location of the lesion?

Which spinal cord structure is supplied by the anterior spinal artery?

In Central Cord Syndrome, which portions of the body retain function because the periphery of the cord is unaffected?

From which vertebral levels does the Artery of Adamkiewicz typically arise?

A patient with Central Cord Syndrome exhibits greater motor weakness in their hands and arms compared to their legs. Which anatomical principle explains this observation?

A patient with Central Cord Syndrome has difficulty distinguishing between sharp and dull sensations on their arms but can still feel these sensations normally on their legs. Which specific spinal tract is most likely affected to cause this?

What neurological deficits would most likely result from damage to the Artery of Adamkiewicz?

A patient exhibits loss of discriminative pain and temperature sensation along with paralysis below the level of the lesion, while retaining proprioception and discriminative touch. Which spinal cord syndrome is most likely?

In a patient diagnosed with Central Cord Syndrome, examination reveals impaired fine touch discrimination in the upper extremities. Which specific pathway is most likely involved?

Which arteries typically give rise to the posterior spinal arteries?

What sensory modalities are typically preserved in Anterior Cord Syndrome?

A patient presents with unilateral paralysis, loss of proprioception, and loss of vibration sense on the same side of the body as the spinal cord lesion, along with contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation. Which spinal cord syndrome is most likely?

Which of the following ascending tracts are present in the spinal cord?

Spinal Cord Lesion Deficits

Anterior Spinal Cord Syndrome

Syringomyelia

Brown-Séquard Syndrome

Features of Spinal Cord Disease

Motor Symptoms Below Lesion

Plegia

Paresis

Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)

Paraplegia

Hemiplegia

Spinal Shock

Neurogenic Bladder

Dorsal Column Involvement

Anterolateral Spinothalamic Tract Deficit

Descending Tract Involvement (Brown-Séquard)

Spinothalamic Tract Delay

Brown-Sequard Syndrome Cause

Contralateral Sensory Loss in Brown-Sequard

Ipsilateral Sensory Loss in Brown-Sequard

Ipsilateral Motor Deficits in Brown-Sequard

Spinal Cord Lesion Types

Anterior Spinal Artery

Posterior Spinal Arteries

Artery of Adamkiewicz

Anterior Cord Syndrome Deficits

Brown-Sequard Syndrome Deficits

Central Cord Syndrome: Limb Impact

Anterior Cord Syndrome: Impact

Brown-Sequard Syndrome: Key Feature

Central Cord Syndrome: Spared Function

Central Cord Syndrome: Sensory Loss

Tracts in Brown-Sequard Syndrome

Central Cord Syndrome: Large Lesion Effects

Central Cord Syndrome: Motor Impairment

Central Cord: Small Lesion Impact

Central Cord: Tracts Affected (Large Lesions)

Spinal Cord Somatotopy