Question

Following trauma/hyperextension neck injury, the patient has weakness that is more pronounced in the upper extremities than the lower and may be accompanied by a localized deficit in pain and temperature sensation:

a) Central cord syndrome
b) Anterior cord syndrome
c) Brown-Séquard syndrome
d) Posterior cord syndrome

Answer 1

Central cord syndrome is the likely diagnosis for a patient with more pronounced weakness in the upper extremities compared to the lower, following a neck trauma, as it affects the central part of the spinal cord.

Step-by-step explanation:

Following trauma/hyperextension neck injury, if a patient exhibits weakness that is more pronounced in the upper extremities than the lower and has a localized deficit in pain and temperature sensation, the most likely diagnosis is central cord syndrome. This condition often follows hyperextension injuries and affects the central part of the spinal cord, which can result in greater motor impairment in the upper limbs compared to the lower limbs. Additionally, a dissociated sensory loss involving mainly pain and temperature sensation can occur due to the damage to the central spinothalamic tracts.

Central cord syndrome is just one example of spinal cord injury among others such as anterior cord syndrome, Brown-Séquard syndrome, and posterior cord syndrome, each having distinct clinical manifestations based on the location and extent of the injury to the spinal cord.