ATLS SPINE AND SPINAL CORD TRAUMA
1. syndrome results from injury to the motor and sensory path-
ways in the anterior part of the cord. It is characterized by paraplegia and
a bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation. However, sensation from the
intact dorsal column (i.e., position, vibration, and deep pressure sense) ispreserved.
This syndrome has the poorest prognosis of the incomplete injuries andoccurs most
commonly following cord ischemia.
Answer: Anterior cord
2. syndrome results from hemisection of the cord, usually dueto
a penetrating trauma. In its pure form, the syndrome consists of ipsilateralmotor loss
(corticospinal tract) and loss of position sense (dorsal column), associated with
contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation be- ginning one to two levels
below the level of injury (spinothalamic tract)
Answer: - Brown-Se quard
3. The most common C1 fracture is a fracture (Jefferson
fracture).The typical mechanism of injury is axial loading, which occurs when a
large load falls vertically on the head or a patient lands on the top of his or her head
in a relatively neutral position. Jefferson fractures involve disruption ofthe anterior
and posterior rings of C1 with lateral displacement of the lateral masses. The
fracture is best seen on an open-mouth view of the C1 to C2 region and axial
computed tomography (CT) scans
Answer: BURST
4. Motor level of spinal cord injury is determined by:
Answer: the lowest key musclethat has a muscle grade of at least 3
5. The C1 rotary injury is most often seen in children. It can
occur spontaneously, after major or minor trauma, with an upper respiratory
infection, or with rheumatoid arthritis.
Answer: subluxation
6. The area of greatest flexion and extension of the cervical spine occurs atC
and is thus most vulnerable to injury.
Answer: C5-C6
7. In adults, the most common level of cervical vertebral fracture is , andthe
most common level of subluxation is C5 on C6
Answer: C5
1. syndrome results from injury to the motor and sensory path-
ways in the anterior part of the cord. It is characterized by paraplegia and
a bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation. However, sensation from the
intact dorsal column (i.e., position, vibration, and deep pressure sense) ispreserved.
This syndrome has the poorest prognosis of the incomplete injuries andoccurs most
commonly following cord ischemia.
Answer: Anterior cord
2. syndrome results from hemisection of the cord, usually dueto
a penetrating trauma. In its pure form, the syndrome consists of ipsilateralmotor loss
(corticospinal tract) and loss of position sense (dorsal column), associated with
contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation be- ginning one to two levels
below the level of injury (spinothalamic tract)
Answer: - Brown-Se quard
3. The most common C1 fracture is a fracture (Jefferson
fracture).The typical mechanism of injury is axial loading, which occurs when a
large load falls vertically on the head or a patient lands on the top of his or her head
in a relatively neutral position. Jefferson fractures involve disruption ofthe anterior
and posterior rings of C1 with lateral displacement of the lateral masses. The
fracture is best seen on an open-mouth view of the C1 to C2 region and axial
computed tomography (CT) scans
Answer: BURST
4. Motor level of spinal cord injury is determined by:
Answer: the lowest key musclethat has a muscle grade of at least 3
5. The C1 rotary injury is most often seen in children. It can
occur spontaneously, after major or minor trauma, with an upper respiratory
infection, or with rheumatoid arthritis.
Answer: subluxation
6. The area of greatest flexion and extension of the cervical spine occurs atC
and is thus most vulnerable to injury.
Answer: C5-C6
7. In adults, the most common level of cervical vertebral fracture is , andthe
most common level of subluxation is C5 on C6
Answer: C5
