Spinal cord compression Book Section
| Authors: | Davis, M. E.; Alvis, J. |
| Editor: | Byar, K. L. |
| Article/Chapter Title: | Spinal cord compression |
| Abstract: | Spinal cord compression (SCC) is an acute medical emergency that, if not treated urgently, can lead to paralysis, sensory loss, and autonomic bowel and bladder dysfunction, and significantly affect patients’ quality of life (QOL). SCC can occur from a variety of underlying musculoskeletal conditions, such as degenerative spondylosis, spinal epidural abscess or hematoma, primary spinal cord tumor, or more often metastatic cancer that has spread to the spine. Prompt initiation of diagnostic workup is crucial to neurologic outcome. Symptom duration and presenting neurologic status (especially motor function) affect functional prognosis. This chapter details issues surrounding SCC, such as risk factors and etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations. Also examined are diagnostic testing and evaluation, treatment and management, emergency management, nursing interventions, interprofessional collaboration, and patient/caregiver education. © 2026 Springer Publishing Company. |
| Keywords: | quality of life; risk factors; diagnosis; spinal cord compression; patient treatment; risk management; motor function; functionals; condition; metastatic cancers; spinal cord tumors; civil defense; autonomics; medical emergency |
| Book Title: | Handbook of Oncologic Emergencies and Urgencies in Acute Care Nursing |
| ISBN: | 978-0-8261-4485-0 |
| Publisher: | Springer Publishing Company, LLC |
| Publication Place: | Princeton, NJ |
| Date Published: | 2026-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 167 |
| End Page: | 179 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1891/9780826144881.0013 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Book Chapter: 13, part of "Section IV: Oncologic Structural Emergencies" -- Source: Scopus |
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