Related articles: Tetraplegia
Definition
Tetraplegia is the complete paralysis of the voluntary musculature of the four limbs and of the trunk, often associated with serious deficits in strength, sensitivity and movement. It is distinguished from paraplegia since the latter involves only the lower limbs.
Tetraplegia can result from lesions affecting the brain and spinal cord (at the level of the cervical spine). Predisposing factors include spinal cord injuries reported following car accidents, violent falls, sports injuries or wounded by a cutting or firing weapon.
Tetraplegia can appear in the clinical picture of infantile cerebral palsy, acute porphyrias, poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis (at an advanced stage) and some types of brain tumors.
Possible Causes * of Tetraplegia
- Japanese encephalitis
- Infant Cerebral Palsy
- Spastic paraparesis
- Polio
- Porphyria
- Anger
- Multiple sclerosis
- Decompression syndrome
