Spinal cord compression?,”A patient’s presentation – motor and sensory loss, absent rectal tone, and urinary retention – is worrisome for acute spinal cord compression (SCC). SCC is most commonly caused by disk herniation, compression fractures, or malignancy. Immediate neurosurgical evaluation is warranted to avoid permanent neurologic dysfunction. Typically, neuroimaging (ie, MRI of the spine) is performed while awaiting surgical evaluation. High-dose glucocorticoids are often used
especially in cases of suspected malignant compression.”