WEEK 4 Red Flags Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC)?
An oncological emergency requiring precise assessment, urgent investigation, and immediate treatment.
Early management can improve functional outcomes and prevent permanent paralysis.
What are the most common cancers associated with MSCC?
- Metastatic lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
What is a common site of compression in MSCC?
Thoracic spine, followed by the lumbosacral spine.
List general signs and symptoms of MSCC.
- Non-mechanical pain
- Constant night pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- General fatigue
- Previous history of cancer
- Night sweats
- Unusual lumps or bumps
- Swelling
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs or pelvis.
What are common symptoms of DVT?
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Enlarged veins
- Some DVTs may have no symptoms
Define inflammation.
A biological response to stimuli interpreted as harmful, leading to a healthy response to injury or infection.
What can an inflammatory disorder cause?
Abnormal inflammation leading to chronic pain, redness, swelling, stiffness, and tissue damage.
What is an infection?
Occurs when a foreign organism enters the body or multiplies in a harmful way.
What characterizes cancer?
Normal cells change to divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors.
What is a primary tumor?
The original site where cancer starts before potentially spreading.
What is local spread in cancer?
Cancer cells push into healthy body parts, causing damage.
What are risk factors for MSCC?
- Previous trauma to the cervical spine
- Migraine-type headaches
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Cardiac disease
- Vascular disease
- Diabetes
- Blood clotting disorders
- Anti-coagulant therapy
- Long-term use of steroids
- History of smoking
- Recent infection
- Immediately post-partum
- Absence of plausible mechanical explanation
What does CAD stand for?
Cervical Arterial Dysfunction.
What is myelopathy?
Neurologic deficit related to spinal cord compression, commonly localized in the cervical spine.
List common symptoms of myelopathy.
- Muscle weakness
- Altered muscle tones
- Sensory loss
- Impaired coordination
- Gait disturbances
- Spinal pain
- Urinary disturbances
What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
A systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis with extra-articular involvement.
What is the primary goal of RA treatment?
Symptom management.
What are Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)?
Medications used in the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis.
What are common joints affected by RA?
- Small joints of hands (PIP, MCP, RCJ)
- Elbows
- Shoulders
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
- MTP
What are signs of infection?
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fevers
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Aches and pains
- Swelling
- Increased temperature
What is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)?
A syndrome involving disordered eating and decreased bone mineral density in athletes.
What are potential causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)?
- Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc
- Epidural abscess
- Spinal epidural hematoma
- Diskitis
- Tumor
- Trauma
- Spinal stenosis
- Aortic obstruction
What are red flag signs and symptoms of CES?
- Saddle anesthesia
- Severe lower back pain with weakness or loss of sensation in legs
- Urinary retention or incontinence
- Faecal incontinence
- Loss of anal tone or sensation
