Metabolic, Infective and Vascular Disorders of the Spinal Cord

Abstract

The discussion of spinal cord disease in many textbooks centres around classic conditions such as tabes dorsalis and subacute combined degeneration of the cord. These conditions are now so rare that to base a whole chapter on them would be misleading. In this chapter the disorders of the spinal cord will be considered in relationship to their clinical importance. In spite of the uncertainty as to its cause, the rather poorly understood condition of progressive cervical myelopathy remains an important condition, which in many instances is associated with cervical spondylosis. Cord lesions related to fracture dislocations of the spine are covered in Chapter 23.