Central cord syndrome is primarily caused by what condition?

Central cord syndrome is primarily associated with a specific type of spinal cord injury that affects the central part of the cord, often resulting in greater impairment of the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities. This condition is commonly linked to trauma, particularly in older individuals with pre-existing degenerative changes in the cervical spine.

The correct answer highlights that central cord syndrome can result from both ischemia (a reduction in blood flow) and hemorrhage (bleeding) within the spinal cord, especially following a traumatic event. Ischemia may occur due to compression of spinal cord blood vessels, while hemorrhage can also result from trauma that leads to bleeding within the neural tissue.

Acknowledging both ischemia and hemorrhage as causative factors captures the complexity of the syndrome, as the underlying pathology can involve multiple mechanisms related to vascular and traumatic events, effectively complementing the understanding of how central cord syndrome manifests in clinical settings.