Related Experiment Videos
Compressive lumbar myelopathy presenting as segmental motor neuron disease
Kleopas A Kleopa1, Eleni Zamba-Papanicolaou, Theodoros Kyriakides
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, PO Box 23462, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Muscle & Nerve
|June 18, 2003
Summary
This study describes four patients with progressive lower extremity weakness due to spondylotic lumbosacral myelopathy. The unusual purely motor symptoms may stem from anterior spinal artery compression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Spinal Cord Imaging
- Electromyography
Background:
- Spondylotic lumbosacral myelopathy can present with diverse neurological deficits.
- Purely motor presentations are less common and can be diagnostically challenging.
Observation:
- Four patients exhibited progressive, asymmetric lower extremity weakness and muscle atrophy.
- Symptoms included cramps and fasciculations, with normal sensory function and upper extremities.
- Electromyography revealed denervation in affected myotomes, while nerve conduction studies were normal.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated spondylotic lumbosacral myelopathy at T11/T12 with cord signal changes.
- The myelopathy was associated with disc herniation or osteophytic arthropathy.
- This led to an unusual purely motor syndrome.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a potential ischemic myelopathy secondary to anterior spinal artery compression.
- This highlights the importance of considering vascular compromise in myelopathy.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for patients with progressive myelopathy.