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Brown-Séquard Syndrome — SCE Neurology MCQ

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ModerateCerebrovascular DiseaseBrown-Séquard SyndromeSCE Neurology

A 30-year-old man sustains a penetrating spinal cord injury at T6. Examination shows ipsilateral loss of motor function and proprioception below T6, and contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation below T8. What is this pattern called?

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Correct answer: B — Brown-Séquard syndrome — hemisection of the spinal cord

Brown-Séquard syndrome results from lateral hemisection of the cord: ipsilateral UMN weakness and dorsal column loss (proprioception, vibration) below the lesion; contralateral spinothalamic loss (pain, temperature) starting 1–2 segments below the lesion (because spinothalamic fibres cross and ascend 1–2 segments before decussating). A: Complete transection causes bilateral loss. C: Central cord syndrome spares sacral fibres. D: Anterior cord syndrome spares dorsal columns. E: Cauda equina is LMN.

Reference: Clinical Neuroanatomy; NICE NG62