Spinal Column
All vertebrae conform to a basic plan, but individual variations occur in the different regions. A typical vertebra consists of an anterior, more-or-less cylindric body and a posterior arch composed…
Infectious and Hereditary Myelopathies
Human T-cell Lymphocytic Virus-1 (HTLV-1) Myelopathy. This disorder, also known as tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1–associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM), may be acquired as a sexually transmitted disease, particularly in the Caribbean, eastern South…
Cervical Disk Herniation Causing Cord Compression
With age, the nucleus pulposus of the disk dehydrates, placing more stress on the annulus fibrosus (outer lining). Tears in the annulus may permit a sudden herniation of the nucleus—a…
Spinal Dural Fistulas and Arteriovenous Malformations
Symptoms typically develop gradually after age 40 and progress slowly. They consist of some combination of back or radicular pain, weakness, sensory disturbances, and impaired sphincter function. Neurogenic claudication may…
Cervical Spondylosis
Finally, as disk spaces narrow secondary to degeneration, the cervical spine shortens. This can produce infolding of the ligamentum flavum, which narrows the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal. The…
Syringomyelia
When congenital, the syrinx develops most frequently in the cervical and upper thoracic segments. Serial sections of pathologic material show that it arises as a diverticulum from the central canal…
Subacute Combined Degeneration
Subacute combined degeneration may also result from nitrous oxide abuse, which leads to inactivation of vitamin B12. A similar syndrome is also seen with copper deficiency, which may be a…
Spinal Tumors (Continued)
The two most common intramedullary tumors are astrocytomas and ependymomas. Astrocytomas are infiltrative, and total excision is not possible; however, there is frequently a well-demarcated plane around ependymomas, permitting their…
Neuroimaging (MRI) Characteristics of Spinal Tumors
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Acute Spinal Cord Syndromes: Pathology, Etiology, and Diagnosis
Transverse Myelitis. This syndrome of acute segmental spinal cord dysfunction results from inflammatory disease. Initial symptoms include limb weakness, loss of all sensation, and sphincter involvement. Nerve root pain and…
