SPINAL CORD COMPRESSION

extradural (vertebral disorders; 45%):

collapsed vertebral body:

metastases

osteoporosis

1° tumours of bone

central disc prolapse

other:

cervical spondylosis

rarer causes:

Paget's disease

ankylosing spondylitis

rheumatoid arthritis:

atlanto-axial and/or sub-axial subluxation

trauma:

crush fracture

whiplash injury

canal stenosis:

cervical

lumbar

infections:

brucellosis

tuberculosis

epidural abscess

meningeal (intradural) causes (45%):

tumours:

meningioma (usually thoracic)

neurofibroma

metastases from lymphoma or leukaemia

other:

syphilitic meningitis

spinal cord (intra-medullary) lesions (5-10%):

tumours:

glioma

ependymoma

angioma

metastases

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