Spinal cord compression

Last revised by Mohammad Sattouf on 2 Jul 2024

Spinal cord compression (SCC) is a surgical emergency, usually requiring prompt surgical decompression to prevent permanent neurological impairment. If the spinal roots below the conus medullaris are involved, and there are characteristic symptoms and signs, it is termed cauda equina syndrome.

Pathology

Etiology

There are numerous causes of cord compression. These can be divided according to the location of the compressing mass:

Lesions of the cord itself can present in a similar manner to extrinsic cord compression but are usually considered separately (e.g. spinal cord tumors, spinal cord abscess).

See also

Cases and figures

  • Case 1: from disc protrusion
  • Case 2: from degenerative anterolisthesis
  • Case 3: from epidural abscess
  • Case 4: from an epidural phlegmon
  • Case 5: from neurofibromas
  • Case 6: epidural hematoma
  • Case 7
  • Case 8: metastatic cord compression
  • Case 9: from renal cell carcinoma metastases
  • Case 10
  • Case 11: metastatic cord compression
  • Case 12: from prostate carcinoma
  • Case 13: metastatic thoracic cord compression
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