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Evidence summaries

Emergency Treatment of Malignant Extradural Spinal Cord Compression

High-dose dexamethasone (96 mg/day) provides effective palliation for malignant extradural spinal cord compression. Level of evidence: "A"

A systematic review 1 including 31 studies was abstracted in DARE. There was good evidence to support the use of high-dose dexamethasone (96 mg/day) but inconclusive evidence for the use of moderate-dose steroids (16 mg/day) in conjunction with radiotherapy. Fair evidence supported using radiation to patients with subclinical cord compression.

    References

    • Loblaw DA, Laperriere NJ. Emergency treatment of malignant extradural spinal cord compression: an evidence-based guideline. J Clin Oncol 1998 Apr;16(4):1613-24. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords