Another quick reference since these seem to show up on board exams from time to time. The bottom line in any suspected spinal cord injury is immobilization of the C spine with a semirigid collar, and keeping the patient supine. Steroids haven’t been proven to be necessarily beneficial, and MRI is the imaging test of choice.

Central cord syndrome

Incomplete spinal cord injury

Weakness in the arms with relative sparing of the legs with variable sensory loss

Ischemia, hemorrhage, or necrosis involving the central portions of the spinal cord

May be seen in recovery from spinal shock due to prolonged swelling around or near the vertebrae, causing pressure on the cord. Can be transient or permanent.

Anterior cord syndrome

Associated with flexion type injuries to the cervical spine

Damage to the anterior portion of the spinal cord and/or anterior spinal artery

Below the level of injury motor function, pain sensation, and temperature sensation are lost

Touch, position and vibration are intact

Posterior cord syndrome

Posterior portion of the spinal cord and/or posterior spinal artery

Loss of proprioception and epicritic sensation (e.g. stereognosis, graphesthesia) below the level of injury

Motor, pain, and sensitivity to light touch are intact

Brown-Séquard syndrome