A 45-year-old presents with neck pain and bilateral hand tingling with a burning sensation in the palms. MRI shows a large central and right paracentral C6–C7 disc prolapse compressing the cord. The syndrome characterised by greater weakness of the upper limbs than lower limbs with sacral sensory sparing is:

• A Anterior cord syndrome
• B Central cord syndrome ✓
• C Brown-Séquard syndrome
• D Posterior cord syndrome

Explanation

Central cord syndrome is the most common incomplete spinal cord injury, typically occurring in elderly patients with cervical spondylosis after hyperextension or in younger patients with large central disc prolapse. The pathognomonic feature is disproportionately greater weakness of the upper extremities compared to lower extremities, because cervical cord lamination places upper limb fibres more centrally in the corticospinal tracts. Bladder dysfunction and variable sensory loss are also present. Sacral sparing (preserved perianal sensation) is the marker of incomplete injury.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.