Spinal Cord Compression Flashcards
Is spinal cord compression a medical emergency?
Yes
What is required with spinal cord emergency?
Swift diagnosis and treatment
Why is it important that spinal cord compression receives swift diagnosis and treatment?
To prevent long-term disability due to irreversible spinal cord injury
What is metastatic spinal cord compression?
Compression by direct pressure and/or induction of vertebral collapse or instability by metastatic spread or direct extension of malignancy that threatens to cause neurological disability
What might cause malignant spinal cord compression?
- Extradural spread from vertebral body metastasis
- Direct metastasis
- Vertebral crush fracture
What cancers most often metastasise to bone and cause spinal cord compression?
- Breast
- Kidney
- Thyroid
- Prostate
- Lung
When are most spinal metastases diagnosed?
Most are diagnosed following the diagnosis of the primary cancer
In what % of cases are spinal metastases the first manifestation of an unknown tumour?
10%
How can early detection of spinal cord compression be achieved?
You should inform patients at high risk of metastases of the symptoms of spinal cord compression, and advise them of what to do should they develop these symptoms
What symptoms suggest possible spinal metastases?
- Pain in thoracic or cervical spine
- Severe unremitting or progressive lumbar spine pain
- Spinal pain aggravated by straining
- Noctural spinal pain preventing sleep
- Localised spinal tenderness
What symptoms suggest spinal cord compression?
- Radicular pain
- Limb weakness
- Difficulty in walking
- Sensory loss, or bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Neurological signs of spinal cord or cauda equina compression
What investigation is done in spinal cord compression?
MRI imaging of whole spine
What is the purpose of MRI imaging of the whole spine in spinal cord compression?
So definitive treatment can be planned
How soon should MRI imaging of the whole spine be performed if clinical features suggest spinal metastasis?
Within 1 week
How soon should MRI imaging of the whole spine be performed if clinical features suggest spinal cord compression?
Within 24 hours, or sooner (including out of hours) if emergency treatment is needed
When should management be started for spinal cord compression?
As soon as possible after diagnosis
What is the aim of starting treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis in spinal cord compression?
- Minimising permanent damage to the spinal cord
- Reduce pain
Why might treatment for spinal cord compression reduce pain?
If the treatment shrinks the tumour and therefore relieves the pressure on the nerves and spinal cord
What factors will the treatment for spinal cord compression depend on?
- Type of cancer
- Area of spine affected
- General fitness
What are the treatment options for spinal cord compression?
- Steroids
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Hormonal therapy
- Drugs that strengthen bones
How do steroids work in spinal cord compression?
They help reduce pressure and swelling around the spinal cord
Who should be given steroids in spinal cord compression?
All patients with spinal cord compression unless contraindicated
Give an example of a contraindication to steroids in spinal cord compression
Significant suspicion of lymphoma
What steroid is given in spinal cord compression?
Dexamethasone
