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The prevalence, pathophysiology and clinical features of spinal cord compression are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the diagnostic challenge presented by the patient with metastatic disease, back pain and normal neurological findings. Methods of investigation and treatment options are reviewed. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential in formulating treatment decisions and evaluating outcomes. Palliative medicine physicians need to be aware of the possible benefits available to patients from a positive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord compression. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sixty-six patients with spinal metastatic disease secondary to urological malignancy underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty-eight patients had clinical evidence of spinal cord compression. MRI demonstrated metastatic cord compression in 16 cases, a benign cause in two cases, nerve root involvement in five cases. In seven patients MRI demonstrated spinal metastases which were not visible on plain radiographs and isotope bone scans. Nine patients had metastatic deposits involving the cauda equina and in a further 22 patients spinal metastases were an incidental finding during MRI for staging of the primary tumour. MRI is a sensitive method of imaging spinal metastases and provides a non-invasive means of assessing patients with spinal cord compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]