With Brown-Séquard syndrome, which of the following symptoms can you expect?

Brown-Séquard syndrome results from a hemisection or injury to one side of the spinal cord, typically due to trauma or spinal cord lesions. This syndrome characteristically presents with a specific pattern of neurological deficits.

In the case of Brown-Séquard syndrome, one can expect same-side motor paralysis due to the involvement of the corticospinal tract, which is located in the anterior portion of the spinal cord and decussates (crosses over) at the level of the brainstem. On the same side, proprioception and motor functions are disrupted.

Conversely, loss of pain and temperature sensation occurs on the opposite side of the body. This is due to the spinothalamic tract, which carries pain and temperature sensations and decussates within a few spinal segments after entering the cord. Therefore, if one side of the spinal cord is affected, motor paralysis and proprioception loss on the injured side will be accompanied by pain and temperature sensation loss on the opposite side.

This unique combination of same-side motor paralysis and opposite-side loss of pain and temperature sensation is the hallmark of Brown-Séquard syndrome, making it a classic presentation in neurology or trauma. Understanding this decussation pattern is crucial for diagnosing and managing patients with