Spinal Cord Diseases

Summary

Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. It is protected by your vertebrae, which are the bone disks that make up your spine. If you have an accident that damages the vertebrae or other parts of the spine, this can also injure the spinal cord. Other spinal cord problems include:

• Tumors
• Infections such as meningitis and polio
• Inflammatory diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy

Symptoms vary but might include pain, numbness, loss of sensation and muscle weakness. These symptoms can occur around the spinal cord, and also in other areas such as your arms and legs. Treatments often include medicines and surgery.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Reference Desk

• Anatomy of the Spine North American Spine Society
• Central Nervous System: The Brain and Spinal Cord Nemours Foundation
• Definitions A-Z North American Spine Society

Start Here

• Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Overview of Spinal Cord Disorders Merck & Co., Inc.

Specifics

• Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Adults American Cancer Society
• Brown-Sequard Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Central Pain Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Hydromyelia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Spinal Cord Tumor Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Spinal Infections North American Spine Society
• Stiff-Person Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Tabes Dorsalis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Tarlov Cysts National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Transverse Myelitis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Genetics

• Caudal regression syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Diagnosis and Tests

• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis National Library of Medicine
• Lumbar and Cervical Discography North American Spine Society
• Myelography National Library of Medicine
• Neurological Exam National Library of Medicine
• Specialized Nerve Tests: EMG, NCV and SSEP North American Spine Society
• Spine MRI Radiological Society of North America

Treatments and Therapies

• Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview National Cancer Institute
• Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors Treatment National Cancer Institute

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Spinal Cord Diseases National Institutes of Health

Related Issues

• Dressing with Ease, Style, and Comfort ALS Association

Patient Handouts

• Epidural abscess Medical Encyclopedia
• Spinal cord abscess Medical Encyclopedia
• Spinal tumor Medical Encyclopedia
• Subacute combined degeneration Medical Encyclopedia
• Tabes dorsalis Medical Encyclopedia

Statistics and Research

• Key Statistics for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors American Cancer Society

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Journal Articles

• Spinal Cord Diseases

Children

• Risk Factors for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children American Cancer Society