NeurologyEmergency Medicine
Spinal Cord Compression
Recognise red flags, urgent MRI whole spine, dexamethasone, oncological / surgical management.
Source: NICE NG37 (MSCC); BOAST
Step 1 of ~7
info
Recognise — Red Flags
Back pain + ANY: progressive lower-limb weakness, sensory level, bladder/bowel dysfunction (urinary retention, incontinence, faecal incontinence), saddle anaesthesia, gait disturbance, hyperreflexia/clonus + extensor plantars (UMN), tone changes. Causes: malignancy (metastatic — most common; primary), trauma, abscess (epidural), haematoma (epidural), disc prolapse (cauda equina), inflammatory (transverse myelitis).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Tranexamic Acid (ICU/Trauma/Surgical) · Antifibrinolytic
- Insulin (IV Infusion — ICU Glucose Control) · Insulin — ICU Glucose Management
- Sodium Chloride 3% (Hypertonic Saline) · Hypertonic Electrolyte Solution — ICP/Hyponatraemia Management
- Dexamethasone (ICU / ARDS) · Systemic Corticosteroid
- Dexamethasone · Potent Systemic Corticosteroid
- Acetic Acid 2% (Ear Drops) · Topical antibacterial / Antifungal (ear)
Pathways
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.