Metastatic disease of the spine: diagnosis and management.

This paper reviews the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, work-up, and management of epidural spinal cord compression by metastatic tumor. Included are descriptions detailing clinical syndromes of cervical, thoracic, cauda equina, and conus medullaris compressions. Indications for plain x-ray films, myelography, and CT scanning as well as a discussion of radiation, steroid, and surgical therapy are presented.