diagnosis
Patients may describe the pain as annoying, gnawing, aching, and nagging.
Vertebral pain in the presence of sensory disturbance, generalised leg weakness, or changes in bladder or bowel function may indicate spinal cord compression
Physical examination may be non specific – there can be some tenderness over the site of metastasis or movement related pain
Early diagnosis and treatment of impending spinal cord compression is important in improving quality of life in these patients, therefore a full neurological examination (even in the absence of "red flag" signs) should be carried out with a low threshold for a spinal magnetic resonance scan.
Initial investigation may include:
Other investigations carried out by specialists include:
Reference:
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