title: Metastatic spinal cord compression.
abstract: Spinal cord compression from metastatic cancer is a medical emergency. Prompt intervention affords the best chance for successful recovery, while delay may result in devastating neurologic impairment. In the appropriate clinical setting, emergency myelography should be done to confirm the diagnosis of metastatic disease. Dexamethasone should then be started, followed by immediate radiation therapy or surgical decompression.
mesh_terms: D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011379:Prognosis; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone