Brown-Séquard syndrome

Mechanism and manifestations

Weakness and loss of vibration or proprioception predominate on the lesion side; pain and temperature may be impaired contralaterally below it. Real presentations are often incomplete.

Diagnosis and management

MRI and examination investigate traumatic, compressive, inflammatory or other causes. Treatment targets the cause and includes rehabilitation. New deficits require urgent assessment rather than empirical mechanical correction.

Points to consider

A neurological syndrome describes a pattern; its cause, level and evolution still need investigation. Functional consequences may change over time. New or rapidly worsening deficits need hospital assessment even when a neurological diagnosis is already known.

Role of TAGMED care

With acute symptoms, urgent hospital assessment takes priority. This condition first requires medical diagnosis and, depending on the situation, specialist management. TAGMED services do not replace treatment of infection or tumor, stabilization of an unstable injury, or neurological or vascular treatment. Any conservative support should be considered only after diagnosis, restrictions and the treating team’s recommendations have been clarified.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Central cord syndrome — Incomplete cervical spinal cord injury syndrome generally characterized by greater motor impairment in the upper than lower limbs.
• Anterior cord syndrome — Cord injury pattern mainly affecting anterior-region functions, with motor and pain-temperature impairment and relative preservation of dorsal-column functions.
• Spinal shock — Period of reduced or absent reflexes and tone below an acute spinal cord injury, evolving over a variable duration.

Medical references

1. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Spinal Cord Injury.
2. U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. Spinal Cord Injuries.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.