Quiz Form

Question Date: 18/08/2023

Question: Which of the following physiologic consequences is most likely to occur within hours of a complete spinal cord injury at the T2 level?

Options:

• Hyperhidrosis
• Hypotension
• Respiratory failure
• Tachycardia

Correct Answer: Hypotension

Explaination: A complete lesion at T2 blocks the supraspinal control of the sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the thoracolumbar spinal cord, leaving the parasympathetic system unopposed. This results in profound bradycardia, atrioventricular nodal block, and hypotension, as well as hypohidrosis. Respiratory failure is most likely with spinal cord lesions at C5 or above.

Reference: Page 167,Stein DM, Sheth KN. Management of acute spinal cord injury. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2015 Feb21(1 Spinal Cord Disorders)159-87. doi 10.121201.CON.0000461091.09736.0c. PMID 25651224.