Brown-Sequard syndrome

Background

Spinal cord tracts

Etiology

• Transverse hemisection of spinal cord
• Unilateral cord compression

Clinical Features

• Ipsilateral spastic paresis
• Ipsilateral loss of proprioception, vibration but contralateral loss of pain, temperature (ie 'sensory dissociation')

Differential Diagnosis

Spinal Cord Syndromes

• Complete spinal cord transection syndrome
• Anterior cord syndrome
• Central cord syndrome
• Brown-Séquard syndrome
• Epidural compression syndromes
  • Spinal cord compression (non-traumatic)
  • Cauda equina syndrome
  • Conus medullaris syndrome
  • Epidural abscess (spinal)
  • Epidural hematoma (spinal)

Management

• Good prognosis