12th August 2024

Incomplete syndromes of the spinal cord

Central cord syndrome

Commonly caused by trauma, syringomyelia or central tumours, this presents with spinothalamic tract disruption (pain/temperature/tickle/itch) with dorsal column sparing. Motor disruption may occur and generally affects the upper limbs before lower.

Anterior cord syndrome

Most often caused by anterior spinal artery thrombosis, this presents with motor and sensory loss, with dorsal column sparing (fine touch/2-point discrimination/proprioception/vibration).

Brown-Séquard syndrome

Also known as hemicord syndrome, this presents with ipsilateral dorsal column and pyramidal tract dysfunction, with contralateral spinothalamic tract loss. Causes include trauma, especially penetrating wounds, compression (tumours, spondylosis, collections) and MS.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons (2006). Cord s., Licensed under a creative commons licence. Available for free at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cord_s.svg (Accessed: 17 January 2024)