Patient presented with imbalance on walking with eyes closed and has to lift up foot and stomp on ground to walk. The tract involved is:-
(A) Spinocerebellar tract (B) Dorsal column tract (C) Lateral spinothalamic tract (D) Vestibulospinal tract
(B) Case described is of SENSORY ATAXIA - d/o damage to dorsal column of spinal cord. Dorsal column tract: - N. gracilis & N. cuneatus - Carry pressure, vibration, stereognosis & conscious proprioception tactile discrimination Damage leads to: - - Sensory ataxia - Stomping gait - d/o loss of conscious proprioception - Romberg test positive (Pt loses balance with closed eyes). Spinocerebellar tract: - - Carry unconscious proprioception - Damage leads to cerebellar ataxia - wide based gait. Spinothalamic tract: - - Carries pain, temperature (lateral spinothalamic) - Pressure & touch (ventral spinothalamic) Note: Other causes of sensory ataxia 1. Neurosyphilis (tabes dorsalis) 2. DM - II (affects dorsal column) 3. Vit B12 deficiency