Epidural Compression (abscess or metastasis)

Suspect as cause of Back Pain or Neck Pain  in:
  • IVDU
  • Known Cancer (esp. breast, lung, prostate)
Key symptoms
  • Pain worse when lies supine
  • bowel / bladder dysfunction
  • perineal / perianal paresthesias
  • any new focal pain in a patient at risk
Key Sign:
  • Bilateral motor weakness in legs
  • Loss of anal wink reflex (only test if other reasons to suspect)

See posting Back Pain & Neck Pain.