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Spinal Cord Injury - Diagnosis

Signs & Symptoms

The main clinical signs of a spinal cord compression are paralysis (constant weakness) of the arms and/or legs, loss of feeling below the site of injury, loss of bladder and/or bowel control, breathing difficulties, low blood pressure and muscle spasms.

Diagnostics

The severity of the injury can be assessed as a complete or an incomplete paralysis.

CT and MRI scans are the best radiological assessment tools. CT will help to detect fractures of the spinal column; an MRI detects soft tissue injury including ligament tear, disc displacement, tissue damage and intraspinal haemorrhage. In case of tumours and abscesses, an imaging of the entire spinal column with an injected dye is necessary. X-rays may also be used.
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EUROSPINE is a society of spine specialists of various disciplines with a large knowledge of spine pathologies. All well-known and accepted treatment modalities for spine pathologies are represented by the members of the society. However, the Society cannot accept any responsibility for the use of the information provided; the user and their health care professionals must retain responsibility for their health care management.
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page last updated on 21.08.2019