Myelopathy

Disease modifying treatment available:
Time critical diagnosis and management:
Lateralising:

Definition

Disorders of the spinal cord are collectively termed myelopathies. Myelopathy may be recognised by characteristic clinical features that result from spinal cord dysfunction.

The part of the spinal cord affected will determine the clinical symptoms. Involvement can be defined along two axes.



Taxotomy

Subclassifications Epidemiology Clinical features
Anterior horn cell syndrome None
Posterior cord syndrome None
Central cord syndrome None
Longitudinally extensive myelitis None
Anterior cord syndrome None
Myelitis None


Aetiology



Clinical features


The clinical features of a myelopathy depend on which areas of the cord area affected.













Investigations


MRI of the spine is an important investigation in myelopathy. The subclassification of myelopathy as 'radiographic' or 'non-radiographic' can guide further management. MRI of the whole spine may be undertaken but clinical features may allow localisation of the lesion and a more restricted scan.

None


Laboratory Investigation Result

Research


Open questions

None