Spinal Cord Compression Flashcards
What can cause spinal cord compression?
Trauma, tumours, central disc protrusion, prolapsed disc, epidural haematoma, infection, cervical spondylitic myelopathy
Where are prolapsed disc most common?
L4-5 and L5-S1
Where are spinal metastases most likely to originate from?
Breast, prostate and lungs
What are red flag signs?
Loss of bladder or bowel function, UMN signs in lower limbs, LMN signs in upper limbs
What are symptoms dependent on?
Injury type and site
What are potential symptoms?
Paraplegia, pain, paraesthesia, changes to tendon reflexes
What is the first line investigation?
X-ray of whole spine
What additional imaging could you do?
MRI
What else would you check?
Renal function, haemoglobin
What is acute spinal cord compression?
A neurosurgical emergency
What should you give until treatment plan is confirmed?
Dexamethasone
What else should you do?
Catheterisation and analgesia
What are potential management options if indicated?
Surgical decompression, chemotherapy
