Spinal Cord Tumor
A patient with a spinal cord tumor may present with constitutional symptoms and referral to other regions outside of the brachial plexus. Tumors may elicit cord compression symptoms, causing increased deep tendon reflexes, a positive Babinksi sign, positive Hoffman, and Lhermitte’s sign (if the tumor is in the cervical region, mimicking myelopathy). In contrast, a patient with thoracic outlet syndrome will not present with loss of bowel and bladder function. Classical complications of spinal cord compression secondary to tumors includes impairment of bowel and bladder, sexual dysfunction, pain, and decrease in functional mobility and self-care skills. Also, paralysis of muscles innervated caudal to level of cord involvement may occur.
(McKinley, 1995; Sizer et. al., 2007)
(McKinley, 1995; Sizer et. al., 2007)