Spinal cord compression: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Spinal cord compression | |||
| image = [[File:Diagram_showing_a_tumour_causing_spinal_cord_compression_CRUK_081.svg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Diagram showing a tumour causing spinal cord compression | |||
| field = [[Neurology]], [[Orthopedics]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Back pain]], [[numbness]], [[weakness]], [[incontinence]] | |||
| complications = [[Paralysis]], [[permanent nerve damage]] | |||
| onset = Sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Varies | |||
| causes = [[Tumor]], [[trauma]], [[infection]], [[degenerative disc disease]] | |||
| risks = [[Cancer]], [[osteoporosis]], [[spinal injury]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[MRI]], [[CT scan]], [[X-ray]] | |||
| differential = [[Herniated disc]], [[spinal stenosis]], [[multiple sclerosis]] | |||
| treatment = [[Surgery]], [[radiation therapy]], [[corticosteroids]] | |||
| medication = [[Pain relievers]], [[steroids]] | |||
| prognosis = Depends on cause and treatment | |||
| frequency = Common in [[cancer patients]] | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Compressive_myeolopathy_C6C7.png|Compressive myelopathy at C6-C7|thumb|left]] | |||
'''Spinal cord compression''' is a medical condition where the [[spinal cord]] is compressed. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, and weakness. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including [[tumors]], [[infections]], and [[spinal stenosis]]. Treatment options include [[surgery]], [[radiation therapy]], and [[medication]]. | '''Spinal cord compression''' is a medical condition where the [[spinal cord]] is compressed. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, and weakness. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including [[tumors]], [[infections]], and [[spinal stenosis]]. Treatment options include [[surgery]], [[radiation therapy]], and [[medication]]. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Spinal cord compression can be caused by a variety of conditions. These include: | Spinal cord compression can be caused by a variety of conditions. These include: | ||
* [[Tumors]]: Both benign and malignant tumors can cause spinal cord compression. These can either originate in the spine itself (primary tumors) or spread to the spine from other parts of the body (secondary tumors). | * [[Tumors]]: Both benign and malignant tumors can cause spinal cord compression. These can either originate in the spine itself (primary tumors) or spread to the spine from other parts of the body (secondary tumors). | ||
* [[Infections]]: Infections can lead to abscesses that compress the spinal cord. | * [[Infections]]: Infections can lead to abscesses that compress the spinal cord. | ||
* [[Spinal stenosis]]: This is a condition where the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord. | * [[Spinal stenosis]]: This is a condition where the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord. | ||
* [[Trauma]]: Injuries to the spine can cause swelling or bleeding that compresses the spinal cord. | * [[Trauma]]: Injuries to the spine can cause swelling or bleeding that compresses the spinal cord. | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
The symptoms of spinal cord compression can vary depending on the location and severity of the compression. They can include: | The symptoms of spinal cord compression can vary depending on the location and severity of the compression. They can include: | ||
* Pain in the back, neck, or radiating down the arms or legs | * Pain in the back, neck, or radiating down the arms or legs | ||
* Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes | * Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes | ||
| Line 17: | Line 33: | ||
* Difficulty walking or maintaining balance | * Difficulty walking or maintaining balance | ||
* Loss of bladder or bowel control | * Loss of bladder or bowel control | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Diagnosis of spinal cord compression typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests. These can include: | Diagnosis of spinal cord compression typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests. These can include: | ||
* [[Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)]]: This can provide detailed images of the spine and help identify any areas of compression. | * [[Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)]]: This can provide detailed images of the spine and help identify any areas of compression. | ||
* [[Computed tomography (CT) scan]]: This can also provide detailed images of the spine. | * [[Computed tomography (CT) scan]]: This can also provide detailed images of the spine. | ||
* [[Myelogram]]: This is a type of X-ray where a contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal to highlight the spinal cord and nerves. | * [[Myelogram]]: This is a type of X-ray where a contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal to highlight the spinal cord and nerves. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment for spinal cord compression depends on the cause and severity of the compression. Options can include: | Treatment for spinal cord compression depends on the cause and severity of the compression. Options can include: | ||
* [[Surgery]]: This can be used to remove tumors or abscesses, or to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. | * [[Surgery]]: This can be used to remove tumors or abscesses, or to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. | ||
* [[Radiation therapy]]: This can be used to shrink tumors that are causing compression. | * [[Radiation therapy]]: This can be used to shrink tumors that are causing compression. | ||
* [[Medication]]: This can include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids to reduce swelling. | * [[Medication]]: This can include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids to reduce swelling. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Spinal cord injury]] | * [[Spinal cord injury]] | ||
* [[Spinal tumor]] | * [[Spinal tumor]] | ||
* [[Spinal stenosis]] | * [[Spinal stenosis]] | ||
[[Category:Neurological disorders]] | [[Category:Neurological disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Spinal cord diseases]] | [[Category:Spinal cord diseases]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:50, 9 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Spinal cord compression | |
|---|---|
| File:Diagram showing a tumour causing spinal cord compression CRUK 081.svg | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Back pain, numbness, weakness, incontinence |
| Complications | Paralysis, permanent nerve damage |
| Onset | Sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Varies |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Tumor, trauma, infection, degenerative disc disease |
| Risks | Cancer, osteoporosis, spinal injury |
| Diagnosis | MRI, CT scan, X-ray |
| Differential diagnosis | Herniated disc, spinal stenosis, multiple sclerosis |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Surgery, radiation therapy, corticosteroids |
| Medication | Pain relievers, steroids |
| Prognosis | Depends on cause and treatment |
| Frequency | Common in cancer patients |
| Deaths | N/A |
Spinal cord compression is a medical condition where the spinal cord is compressed. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, and weakness. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including tumors, infections, and spinal stenosis. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and medication.
Causes[edit]
Spinal cord compression can be caused by a variety of conditions. These include:
- Tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can cause spinal cord compression. These can either originate in the spine itself (primary tumors) or spread to the spine from other parts of the body (secondary tumors).
- Infections: Infections can lead to abscesses that compress the spinal cord.
- Spinal stenosis: This is a condition where the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord.
- Trauma: Injuries to the spine can cause swelling or bleeding that compresses the spinal cord.
Symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of spinal cord compression can vary depending on the location and severity of the compression. They can include:
- Pain in the back, neck, or radiating down the arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes
- Weakness in the muscles
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of spinal cord compression typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests. These can include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This can provide detailed images of the spine and help identify any areas of compression.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: This can also provide detailed images of the spine.
- Myelogram: This is a type of X-ray where a contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal to highlight the spinal cord and nerves.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for spinal cord compression depends on the cause and severity of the compression. Options can include:
- Surgery: This can be used to remove tumors or abscesses, or to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
- Radiation therapy: This can be used to shrink tumors that are causing compression.
- Medication: This can include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids to reduce swelling.
