Spinal cord compression laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Spinal cord compression is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and imaging studies. Laboratory studies play a minimal role in diagnosing spinal cord compression expect in accessing the patient’s condition preoperatively and to exclude any infection.

Laboratory findings

Spinal cord compression is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and imaging studies. Laboratory studies like CBC, CSF, clotting studies and electrolyte exam helpful in excluding infection as a cause and are employed preoperatively.^[1]

CBC shows increased neutrophil count in cases of infection.
ESR and CRP may be elevated.
Blood and CSF cultures are positive in case of an epidural abscess or osteomyelitis.
Tumor biopsy positive for malignant cells if compression of spinal cord is due to malignancy.
Urodynamic studies reveal reduced bladder contractility and sphincter dysfunction.

References

↑ Rigamonti D, Liem L, Sampath P, Knoller N, Namaguchi Y, Schreibman DL, Sloan MA, Wolf A, Zeidman S (1999). “Spinal epidural abscess: contemporary trends in etiology, evaluation, and management”. Surg Neurol. 52 (2): 189–96, discussion 197. PMID 10447289.

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[pmid10447289-1] Rigamonti D, Liem L, Sampath P, Knoller N, Namaguchi Y, Schreibman DL, Sloan MA, Wolf A, Zeidman S (1999). “Spinal epidural abscess: contemporary trends in etiology, evaluation, and management”. Surg Neurol. 52 (2): 189–96, discussion 197. PMID 10447289.

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