Impingement on the spinal cord, usually by an extramedullary neoplasm. Characteristics - local back pain, hyperreflexia, Babinski's sign, weakness of lower extremities, sensory loss, loss of sphincter control. Back pain and weakness may last hours to days, but total loss of function control to the site of compression may take only minutes. Usual course - acute onset; chronic onset; often progressive primary disease.

• Carcinoma of the lung
• Breast carcinoma
• Carcinoma of the prostate
• Lymphoma
• Neural malignancy
• Herniated disk
• Extradural abscess
• Spinal tuberculosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cervical spondylosis