Brown Sequard Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
The spinal cord is one of the most important components of our body that we have; since thanks to it our brain and the rest of our body are constantly in communication.
Now, what happens if it suffers some damage? One of the consequences of a spinal cord injury is Brown Sequard syndrome which we will talk about throughout this article, as well as its symptoms, causes and possible treatments.
Brown Sequard syndrome is a condition first described in 1849 by the physiologist and neurologist Edouard Brown-Sequard ; which is distinguished by presenting a series of very specific neurological symptoms caused by a spinal cord injury. Specifically, this injury refers to a spinal hemisection that generally damages the lateral half.
As a consequence, the person who suffers from Brown Sequard syndrome experiences muscle weakness, numbness and paralysis which can differ from one person to another and the loss of sensitivity of different areas of the body.
These effects tend to occur on active motor function below the point in the spinal cord where the injury is located. In addition, the area affected by paralysis is also located on the same side where the spinal cord damage occurred.
In order to better understand how this syndrome affects the person who suffers from it, it is necessary to first clarify that the spinal cord is an essential component of the nervous system, which is responsible for collecting and transmitting sensory and motor information of the various areas of the body, as well as the main brain nuclei. To do this, it uses the nerves that arise along it.
Therefore, if the person suffers a trauma, or experiences the development of a tumor mass in the spinal cord that causes this hemisection, it is possible that this Brown Sequard syndrome will appear and lead to consequences such as these sensory alterations and pathologies associated with fragility. and muscle paralysis.
Prevalence
The incidence of Brown Sequard syndrome is quite low, hence it is categorized as a rare disease Worldwide, there are only between 30 and 40 cases of this disorder per million people. Furthermore, research indicates that it affects a greater number of women than men; The most affected age group being between 16 and 30 years old. However, the average age of patients who suffer from this syndrome is approximately 40 years.
What symptoms does it present?
Despite Symptoms may differ from one patient to another Depending on how far up the spinal cord the injury is located, symptoms will generally fall into three different categories: muscle weakness and paralysis, sensory perception, and proprioception.
1. Muscle weakness and paralysis
As a consequence of the spinal hemisection typical of Brown Sequard syndrome, the person tends to experience significant alterations in motor activities at the ipsilateral level. That is, in one of the two halves of the body.
The main motor symptoms associated with this syndrome are:
2. Proprioception
Proprioception is the sense that is responsible for inform our body of the position of our muscles That is, from our position. Thanks to it we can be aware and manage our movements and automatic reactions.
When this sense is affected, in this case by Brown Sequard syndrome, the person experiences a impairment of this bodily capacity.
The main effects of Brown Sequard syndrome on the capacity for sensory perception are reflected in the following symptoms:
What are the causes of this syndrome?
There are a large number of factors that can cause a spinal cord injury However, the most common cause that triggers Brown Sequard syndrome is a traumatic injury to the spine or neck.
As a general rule, these injuries are usually the result of fractures or dislocations due to a fall or blow or even some type of weapon injury. However, there are other causes related to the hospital setting. These refer to setbacks in surgery or from damage when removing the cerebrospinal fluid drainage catheter.
Regarding the causes or organic alterations that can cause this syndrome, they include:
Treatment and prognosis
For now No specific treatment has been developed for Brown Sequard syndrome so the medical and health personnel carry out an individualized approach for each patient who suffers from it.
However, there are a series of general or common guidelines that consist of keeping the patient in a state of immobility in order to prevent further damage together with a series of surgical interventions and repairs.
On the other hand, the treatment also It is accompanied by the administration of a series of analgesic medications and corticosteroids to reduce the rest of the symptoms of Brown Sequard.
Finally, these treatments are accompanied by physiotherapy rehabilitation that maintains the tone and strength of the muscles, as well as occupational rehabilitation that restores the person’s functional independence lost during the course of the disease.
Regarding the prognosis of Brown syndrome, it is usually favorable as long as treatment is started. As a rule more than 50% of patients tend to restore their motor capacity throughout the first year.
