Spine: central cord syndrome: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Spine: central cord syndrome

Sample item

An elderly man with cervical spondylosis falls forward and has weakness in both arms, much worse than in the legs, with bladder dysfunction and variable sensory loss. What is the diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Central cord syndrome

Central cord syndrome follows hyperextension injury of a stenotic cervical canal. The medial corticospinal fibres to the arms are more affected than the lateral fibres to the legs, so upper limb weakness exceeds lower limb weakness. It carries a fair prognosis for walking.

Option by option

  • A. Brown-Sequard syndrome

    Brown-Sequard syndrome is hemisection with ipsilateral motor and contralateral pain loss.

  • B. Anterior cord syndrome

    Anterior cord syndrome spares dorsal column function.

  • C. Posterior cord syndrome

    Posterior cord syndrome affects proprioception and vibration.

  • D. Central cord syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Arms worse than legs after a hyperextension injury indicates central cord syndrome.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Central cord syndrome. Central cord syndrome follows hyperextension injury of a stenotic cervical canal.

Why is "Brown-Sequard syndrome" not the answer?

Brown-Sequard syndrome is hemisection with ipsilateral motor and contralateral pain loss.

Why is "Anterior cord syndrome" not the answer?

Anterior cord syndrome spares dorsal column function.

Why is "Posterior cord syndrome" not the answer?

Posterior cord syndrome affects proprioception and vibration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: central cord syndrome in Orthopaedics. The medial corticospinal fibres to the arms are more affected than the lateral fibres to the legs, so upper limb weakness exceeds lower limb weakness. It carries a fair prognosis for walking.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Spine: central cord syndrome?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.