Spinal Column and Spinal Cord Disorders

Abstract

© 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This chapter discusses the common interest with the sub-specialities of neuro-rehabilitation, neuro-inflammation, neuro-infection, neuro-genetics and neuro-muscular disorders. It broadly divides into four sections: spinal embryology anatomy and physiology; diagnosis of spinal column and cord disorders; specific diseases of the spinal column and spinal cord, and clinical management including medical and surgical approaches. The chapter discusses conditions that have yielded insight into spinal cord maldevelopment. Consideration of the details of Klippel-Feil syndrome, X-linked Kallmann syndrome and congenital hemiplegia pathophysiology has led to a wider appreciation of corticospinal tract development. The chapter focuses on symptoms and physical signs that are of particular value in helping the experienced clinician achieve an accurate and timely diagnosis and an assessment that allows a coherent plan of management to be formulated. Surgical detethering may treat a tethered cord in a patient with progressive neurological symptoms.