Radiologic features compared to clinical findings in a prospective study of 153 patients with metastatic spinal cord compression treated by radiotherapy.

Plain radiography, myelography and post-myelographic CT-scan are described and related to clinical findings in a prospective study of 153 consecutive patients with myelographic signs of spinal cord compression. The majority of the metastatic tumours arise in the vertebral body or the pedicles. In 80% of the patients with total blockage to the contrast medium on myelography the post-myelographic-CT showed passage of the contrast medium. Ambulatory function at time of diagnosis was correlated to the degree and the localization of the epidural block. In 64 patients who underwent a second myelography, the post-treatment findings of sensory function were correlated to radiological regression.