Acquired/Structural Problems

, Lawrence A. Zumo² and Valerie Sim³

(1)

Parkinson’s Clinic of Eastern Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

(2)

Silver Spring, Cheverly, MD, USA

(3)

Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Abstract

With age, many structural problems arise from degenerative disease of the vertebral bodies. These can lead to disc herniations or spinal stenosis with varying degrees of nerve root or spinal cord compression. Other structural problems within the nervous system can involve the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Depending on how this fluid accumulates, it may be asymptomatic or life threatening. In this chapter we present examples of degenerative spine disease leading to disc herniation or spinal stenosis, and fluid accumulations which cause hydrocephalus.

Case 7.1 Spinal Stenosis

A 68 year old right-handed male presented with a history of neck pain and tingling of the hands which started 3 years ago and worsened with time. The neck pain was aggravated with physical activity. He had no weakness, bowel or bladder symptoms. An MRI was performed (Fig. 7.1).