Mindful Medulla

Cauda Equina Syndrome vs. Conus Medullaris Syndrome CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME: Anatomy The term "cauda equina" refers to the group of nerves at the end of the spinal cord that resembles the tail of a horse. At the top of the lumbar (lower back) spine, the spinal cord terminates. The spinal canal contains the separate nerve roots that continue from the spinal cord's end and give the legs and bladder sensory and motor function. Following these nerve roots into the lumbar and sacral regions is the cauda equina. The lower limbs and pelvic organs are communicated with by these nerves both inside and externally.    Spinal nerves L2-L5, S1-S5, and Co1 continue inferiorly as the cauda equina. Compression of these nerves can produce cauda equina or conus medullaris syndromes.  Cauda equina syndrome (CES) occurs when there is dysfunction of multiple lumbar and sacral nerve roots of the cauda equina.  Etiology Spinal lesions and tumors Lumbar spinal stenosis Birth abnormalities...

Lateral Medullary Syndrome, also known as Wallenberg Syndrome Clinical Picture : A 65 M presents with sudden onset ataxia, slurred speech and vomiting. Known case of Hypertension  and Diabetes mellitus . On examination he has no power loss in the limbs, features of Horner syndrome on right side and loss of pain and temperature sensation on right side of the body and left side of his face. Other systems are normal. (Vishram Singh neuroanatomy) The region infarcted in lateral medullary syndrome is seen in the illustration above. The posterior inferior cerebellar artery, a branch of the vertebral artery, is the artery that gets injured.  (Snells Neuroanatomy) With the aid of the simple neuroanatomy of the medulla and its section at the level of the inferior olivary nucleus, as previously demonstrated, we may determine which structures are affected. Structures involved are: Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle  Vagus nerve nuclei - Nucleus tractus solit...