Central Cord Syndrome true statement?

Central Cord Syndrome true statement?

• A. It causes greater weakness in the upper extremities than the lower
• B. It primarily affects the lower extremities
• C. It preserves proprioception
• D. It is identical to Brown-Sequard

Answer: (A)

Central cord syndrome is characterized by disproportionate weakness in the upper extremities compared with the lower extremities. This happens because a central cervical cord injury preferentially damages the fibers that control the arms, which are more vulnerable in a central lesion, often after a hyperextension injury in people with cervical spondylosis. Proprioception and vibration are often preserved because the dorsal columns are less affected, though sensory loss can be variable. It is not Brown-Sequard, which presents with ipsilateral motor and proprioceptive loss plus contralateral pain and temperature loss. The statement that upper-extremity weakness is greater than lower-extremity weakness best captures the classic presentation.

Central cord syndrome is characterized by disproportionate weakness in the upper extremities compared with the lower extremities. This happens because a central cervical cord injury preferentially damages the fibers that control the arms, which are more vulnerable in a central lesion, often after a hyperextension injury in people with cervical spondylosis. Proprioception and vibration are often preserved because the dorsal columns are less affected, though sensory loss can be variable. It is not Brown-Sequard, which presents with ipsilateral motor and proprioceptive loss plus contralateral pain and temperature loss. The statement that upper-extremity weakness is greater than lower-extremity weakness best captures the classic presentation.