Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
07:00

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression

Published on: May 7, 2019

Acute myelopathy: tumoral or traumatic spinal cord compression

Dominic N P Thompson1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|April 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Acute pediatric myelopathy is rare and often presents nonspecifically, risking delayed diagnosis. Prompt specialist evaluation and investigation are crucial for timely treatment and improved outcomes in acute spinal cord compression.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Spinal Cord Medicine

Background:

  • Acute myelopathy in children is uncommon and can be difficult to diagnose due to non-specific symptoms, especially in younger patients.
  • Delayed diagnosis of acute spinal cord compression in pediatric cases carries a significant risk of poor functional outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of early recognition and specialist consultation for acute pediatric myelopathy.
  • To differentiate management strategies for tumoral versus traumatic acute myelopathy in children.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges in pediatric acute myelopathy.
  • Discussion of differential diagnosis and management principles for tumoral and traumatic spinal cord compression.

Main Results:

  • Nonspecific clinical presentation increases the risk of missed or delayed diagnosis in pediatric acute myelopathy.
  • Early intervention to relieve compressive pathology is essential for achieving good functional outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Urgent specialist opinion and appropriate investigations are vital when acute spinal cord compression is suspected in a child.
  • Understanding the distinct management algorithms for tumoral and traumatic myelopathy facilitates coordinated care and improves patient prognosis.

More Related Videos

Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice05:39

Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice

Published on: December 27, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy01:15

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...