[Metastatic spinal cord compression: diagnosis and treatment]

Harefuah. 2013 Dec;152(12):720-4, 752.
[Article in Hebrew]

Abstract

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is a common complication of cancer that can cause pain and potentiaLly irreversible loss of neurologic function. In most cases this syndrome is caused by compression of the thecal sac and the spinal cord by extradural metastatic mass. The most important steps in minimizing the potential neurologic sequelae are early diagnosis and rapid therapeutic intervention. MRI is generally the preferred imaging modality because of its noninvasive ability to study the entire thecal sac. Surgery and radiotherapy are the primary approaches to treat tumor compressing the spinal cord.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Epidural Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Epidural Neoplasms / secondary
  • Epidural Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pain / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / secondary
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / therapy*