Spinal cord compression Flashcards

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1
Q

Spinal cord compression

A

Compression of the spinal cord before the end of the spinal cord and start of the cauda equina

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2
Q

Features

A

Back pain (worse on lying down and coughing)

Lower limb weakness

Sensory loss and numbness

Tendon reflexes increased below the level of the lesion and absent at the level of the lesion

Neurological signs depend on the level of the lesion

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3
Q

Lesions above L1

A

Result in UMN signs in legs and a sensory level

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4
Q

Lesions below L1

A

Cause LMN signs in the legs and perianal numbness

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5
Q

Investigations

A

Urgent MRI whole spine within 24h of presentation

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6
Q

Management

A

High dose oral dexamethasone

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7
Q

Metastatic causes

A

Breast

Lung

Prostate

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