醫療新知

Definition
When there is abnormal swelling with spinal cavity, it is known as spinal cord tumor which is often discriminated by its locations: and they are inside the cavity, outside hard myeloid intramembranous spinal cord, and outside hard myeloid membrane. Most common malignant tumors are metastasized from none of the above. Most idiopathic tumors inside the spinal cavity are benign.

Symptom
One-side or two-side numbness, ache, fragility, and even incontinence or paraplegia.

Types of examinations
General X-ray checkup, Computer Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Bone Scan, Angiography, and Spinal cord photography.

Treatment

• 'Surgery:

Surgeries aim to eliminate tumors, release pressure and diagnose biopsy. Because benign tumor grows slowly, a quick recovery is expected.

• Radiation Therapy:

Radiation therapy is mainly for malignant tumors; patients undergo surgery or have less than 3 months life span, such treatment is forbiddened.

• Chemical treatment:

For malignant tumors.

Post-surgery cautions

1. Keep patients’ back flat and straight while moving them. Avoid unnecessary trembles and spinning while lifting patients. Watch out for the neck fixation if patients have cervical spine surgery.
2. Patients should sleep on firm mattress to keep the spine straight and wear external fixation when getting out of bed.
3. There should be no pillow while patients lie on their side to prevent back stretching. It is more sugrested to place pillows under patients’ arms, shoulders, and legs.
4. If you notice any bleeding from wounds or wet dressing, inform our medical staff to prevent infection.
5. Follow instructions and prescriptions given by the doctor with painkillers to ease ache triggered by surgical wounds.
6. Roll patients over like a log every two hours or use turn-over sheets to help patients move their bodies.
7. Once muscle strength of all limbs or the lower libms reduces, notify our medical staff immediately for further checkup and treatment.

中國醫藥大學附設醫院
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