Brown sequard syndrome: definition, symptoms, causes, how to treat it

Most numbness conditions are harmless and can heal on their own. However, if you have been involved in a motorbike accident for some time or have fallen fatal enough to injure your spine, and continue to experience numbness on the injured side, you should consult a doctor. This could be a symptom of Brown Sequard Syndrome. Is it dangerous?

What is Brown Sequard Syndrome?

Brown Sequard Syndrome is a series of conditions, not diseases, that result from trauma to the spinal cord nerves in the spine. The term Brown-Sequard Syndrome is taken from the name of Charles Edouard Brown-Sequard, a neurologist who first discovered this condition in 1949.

What causes Brown Sequard Syndrome?

The main cause of Brown Sequard Syndrome is trauma to the spinal cord, especially to the spinal cord. Trauma can be an injury from a gunshot wound, stab wound, or a blunt force blow (such as a fall from a motorbike) that occurs to one side of the spine.

Brown-Sequard Syndrome can also be caused by non-traumatic causes, such as malignant tumors, cysts, radiation exposure, hernias of nerves, stress on nerves, circulatory system disorders, to infections, such as meningitis, herpes, tuberculosis, myelitis, and syphilis..

What are the symptoms of Brown-Sequard Syndrome?

As a result of spinal cord damage, Brown-Sequard Syndrome can cause loss of the body's ability to feel physical sensations, such as pain, vibration, tingling, touch, pressure, and changes in hot and cold temperatures. Trauma to the spinal cord also causes loss of proprioceptive ability, which is your ability to know where and where your body is on the injured side.

There are also other sets of symptoms in the form of respiratory tract disorders (such as coughing), inability to hold back urination, and constipation, which when they occur are referred to as Brown-Sequard Syndrome Plus symptoms.

How do doctors diagnose Brown-Sequard Syndrome?

If you experience symptoms like the above, especially after experiencing an injury or having a condition / disease that is a risk factor, your doctor may refer you to a neurologist (neurologist) to check the condition of your spinal cord. In addition, an MRI or X-ray examination can also be performed. X-rays are especially important because this way the doctor can locate the injured bone and can more clearly identify the location of the foreign object causing the injury.

In emergency cases, imaging with a CT scan may be recommended to be able to see the anatomy and stability of the bones to plan surgery. The position of the foreign body and its relationship to the spine and blood vessels can also be seen on a CT scan.

Meanwhile, MRI can provide a better picture if there is swelling and disorders of the spine. However, use of MRI imaging is only allowed when the foreign metal object causing the syndrome has been removed. This is due to the presence of magnetic waves from the MRI which can attract the metal objects in the body so that it can worsen the patient's nervous condition and prevent doctors from diagnosing damage to the bone marrow.

How do you deal with Brown-Sequard Syndrome?

To be able to overcome this syndrome, it also needs support and cooperation with neurologists, nurses and physiotherapists.

The type of treatment for Brown-Sequard Syndrome will depend on the root cause of the problem and is aimed at preventing further complications. If your condition looks stable (blood pressure, breath rate, and breathing are good) and there is no damage to the trachea or esophagus, treatment can be focused on investigations and clinical management.

Patients who experience Brown-Sequard Syndrome due to stab wounds will generally be immediately taken to the emergency room to be injected with tetanus prevention vaccines and antibiotics to prevent infection.

High doses of steroids are often used in some cases of Brown Sequard Syndrome caused by injury to the spinal cord. Steroids are used to prevent inflammation and improve blood capillary function. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics, pain relievers, and / or laxatives depending on the other symptoms that accompany this syndrome.

Surgery is usually performed when there is pressure on the spinal cord, CSF leak in the brain's central nervous system, and spinal instability.