A 28-year-old man sustains a hemisection of the spinal cord at T6 following a stab wound. On examination he has ipsilateral loss of proprioception and motor function below T6, with contralateral loss of pain and temperature beginning 1-2 levels below the lesion. This is characteristic of:

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

Explanation

Brown-Sequard syndrome is hemisection of the spinal cord: ipsilateral loss of motor function and dorsal column sensations (proprioception, vibration, fine touch) with contralateral loss of pain and temperature (spinothalamic tract crosses within 1-2 levels). Anterior cord syndrome loses motor and pain/temperature bilaterally with preserved proprioception. Central cord syndrome affects upper limbs more than lower. Posterior cord syndrome loses proprioception with preserved motor function.

Reference: Clinical Anatomy by Regions (Snell), 10th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.