clinical features
Last reviewed 10/2020
The presentation of a spinal cord compression depends upon:
- site of lesion - intramedullary lesions produce within spinal segmental damage only; others produce cord both root and segmental damage
- extent of lesion - partial, e.g. Brown Sequard, or complete
- level of lesion - roots only damaged below L1
- speed of onset - rapidly progressive lesions usually produce permanent deficits
- 'spinal shock' - upper motor neurone disease - but with a flaccid paralysis, loss of reflexes, absent plantar reflexes
features of root and segmental damage
features of regional disruption within a segment