Management of malignant spinal cord compression

Metastatic cord compression is one of the most serious complications of cancer. It is an emergency that requires rapid decision making involving several specialities, given the risk of permanent spinal cord injury. Patients may present with various clinical signs such as pain and neurological dysfunction with interventions aiming to improve both of these. Diagnosis is made through detailed history and examination followed by specific radiological investigations. The standard of care in most cases is rapid initiation of corticosteroids in combination with either surgical decompression in case of an operable candidate, followed by radiation therapy or radiotherapy alone.
Source: Surgery (Medicine Publishing) - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Neurosurgery Source Type: research