Central paralysis

The central or also spastic form of polio is characterized by involvement of the central motoneuron. Thus, the lesion is located in the CNS, whether in the brain or spinal cord. The etiology can be varied, eg: strokes, tumors, CNS inflammation, trauma, subdural or epidural hematomas, etc. Depending on the severity and location, we distinguish between plegia (complete paralysis) and paresis (partial paralysis only).

Characteristics of central paralysis

 * Spasticity — increased resting muscle tone; the patient is stiff
 * Hyperreflexia — reflexes are more vivid, more pronounced and their reflector zone is widened
 * Paresis or plegia
 * Muscle hypotrophy — often due to inactivity
 * Irritant phenomena — manifestations of the pyramid path (Babinski, Juster,...)

related articles

 * Peripheral paralysis
 * Plegia
 * Paresis
 * Spastic phenomena
 * Reflex