Spinal cord syndromes

Complete transection

• Disruption of cortico-spinal (motor) , spinothalamic tracts (touch, pain, temp) and dorsal column (touch, vibration sense, proprioception)
• Total bilateral loss of motor or sensory modalities below cord level

Anterior column syndrome

• Disruption of cortico-spinal and spinothalamic tracts
• Bilateral loss of motor and pain and temp modalities (intact vibration sense, proprioception)
• Cause - anterior spinal artery occlusion, aortic surgery

Posterior (Dorsal) column syndrome

• Disruption dorsal column
• Bilateral loss of touch, vibration sense, proprioception (intact motor function, pain and temp sensation)
• Cause - posterior spinal artery occlusion, tertiary syphilis, Friedrich's ataxia, Subacute Degeneration of the cord (B12 deficiency)

Brown Sequard syndrome - Cord hemisection

• Disruption of unilateral cortico-spinal (motor) , spinothalamic tracts (pain/temp) and dorsal column (touch, vibration sense, proprioception)
• Contralateral loss pain and temp modalities (uncrossed spinothalamic fibres)
• Ipsilateral loss of motor, proprioceptive and vibration function (already crossed corticospinal and dorsal column fibres)
  Cause - penetrating injuries to cord (classically from stabbing by sword)

Central cord syndrome

• Disruption of central cortico-spinal and spinothalamic tracts (fibres from proximal structures added to centre of cord)
• Bilateral loss of motor and pain and temp modalities predominantly in upper limb ('cape distribution')
• Cause - syringomyelia ('pipe in marrow' - hole in spinal cord)