brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Compression of the Spinal Cord
Treatment of Spinal Cord Compression
Usually surgery Sometimes corticosteroids given intravenously For tumors, usually radiation therapy (with or without surgery) For abscesses or hematomas, sometimes drainage If loss of function is partial or very recent (usually when compression occurs suddenly), the compression must be relieved immediately. When compression is detected and treated quickly, before nerve pathways are destroyed, treatment can prevent permanent damage to the spinal cord, and function is usually recovered. Surgery is typically needed to relieve compression. Surgery may also be needed to insert rods, screws, and/or pins and thus stabilize the spine. Other treatment varies depending on the cause. For certain disorders (such as tumors), high doses of corticosteroids, such asdexamethasoneormethylprednisolone, are given intravenously as soon as possible. Corticosteroids can reduce swelling in or around the spinal cord, which may be contributing to compression. Immediately after corticosteroids are given, tumors are removed surgically and/or treated with radiation therapy. Surgery is done in the following cases: Symptoms worsen despite treatment. A biopsy is needed. The spine is unstable. Tumors are present or recur after radiation therapy. Doctors suspect the cause is an abscess or a hematoma. ) and Surgery for Cancer and/or If anabscesscauses symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction (such as paralysis and loss of bowel or bladder control), a neurosurgeon surgically drains the abscess as soon as possible. Antibiotics are also given. If symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction have not developed, drawing the pus out through a needle, giving antibiotics, or both may be all that is needed. If ahematomais the cause, the accumulated blood is surgically drained immediately. People who have a bleeding disorder or who are taking certain anticoagulants are given medications that help reverse the effect of the anticoagulant. People are also given transfusions of plasma to eliminate or reduce the tendency to bleed. 