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1. szöveg

1. szöveg

Spinal cord disorders

 

Causes of spinal cord disorders include injuries, infections, a blocked blood supply, and compression by a fractured bone or a tumor.

 

Typically, muscles are weak or paralyzed, sensation is abnormal or lost, and controlling bladder and bowel function may be difficult.

Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms and results of a physical examination and imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The condition causing the spinal cord disorder is corrected if possible.

Often, rehabilitation is needed to recover as much function as possible.

 

The spinal cord is the main pathway of communication between the brain and the rest of the body. It is a long, fragile, tube-like structure that extends downward from the base of the brain. The cord is protected by the back bones (vertebrae) of the spine (spinal column). The vertebrae are separated and cushioned by disks made of cartilage.

 

Causes

Some spinal cord disorders originate outside the cord. They include injuries, most infections, blockage of the blood supply, and compression. The spinal cord may be compressed by bone (which may result from cervical spondylosis or a fracture), an accumulation of blood (hematoma), a tumor, a localized collection of pus (abscess), or a ruptured or herniated disk.

 

Less commonly, spinal cord disorders originate in the cord. They include fluid-filled cavities (syrinxes), inflammation (as occurs in acute transverse myelitis), tumors, abscesses, bleeding (hemorrhage), infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multiple sclerosis, and syphilis.

 

Symptoms

Because of the way the spinal cord functions and is organized, damage to the cord often produces specific patterns of symptoms based on where the damage occurred. The following may occur in various patterns:

 

Weakness

Loss of sensation (such as the ability to feel a light touch, pain, temperature, or vibration)

Changes in reflexes

Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)

Loss of bowel control (fecal incontinence)

Erectile dysfunction

Paralysis

Back pain

 

Diagnosis

Often, doctors can recognize a spinal cord disorder based on its characteristic pattern of symptoms. Doctors always do a physical examination, which provides clues to the diagnosis. An imaging test is done to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause.

 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most accurate imaging test for spinal cord disorders. MRI shows the spinal cord, as well as abnormalities in the soft tissues around the cord (such as abscesses, hematomas, tumors, and ruptured disks) and in bone (such as tumors, fractures, and cervical spondylosis). If MRI is not available, myelography with computed tomography (CT) is used. For myelography, a radiopaque dye is injected into the fluid around the spinal cord, and x-rays are taken. It is not as accurate or as safe as MRI.

 

Treatment

If symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction (such as paralysis or loss of sensation) suddenly occur, people should see a doctor immediately. Sometimes doing so can prevent permanent nerve damage or paralysis. If possible, the cause is treated or corrected. However, such treatment is often impossible or unsuccessful.

 

Source:http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain_spinal_cord_and_nerve_disorders/spinal_cord_disorders/overview_of_spinal_cord_disorders.html