Causes of Spinal Cord Compression
Trauma (including car accidents, falls and sports injuries)
Tumours
Prolapsed intervertebral disc
Epidural or Subdural Haematoma
Inflammatory Disease
Cervical spondylitic myelopathy
Spinal manipulation
Vertebral #
Facet joint dislocation
Complete transection of the spinal cord
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
L4-L5 and L5-S1 are the most common levels for disc prolapse
There may be a history of trauma, a recent spinal procedure and/or the patient may be on anticoagulant therapy.
In rheumatoid arthritis there is often considerable weakness of the ligament that holds the odontoid peg. If this ruptures, the atlas can slip forward on the axis and compress the high cervical spine.
Infection
Spinal infections can be acute or chronic.
Acute infections are usually bacterial; chronic infections are usually due to tuberculosis or fungal infection.
Vertebral osteomyelitis, discitis or haematogenous spread of infection can lead to an epidural abscess.
The ageing process can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal due to osteophytes, herniated discs and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
In advanced stages, it can cause spinal cord compression.