Spine: metastatic cord compression: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Spine: metastatic cord compression

Sample item

A man with prostate cancer has back pain and bilateral leg weakness, and MRI shows epidural metastatic cord compression at T8. What is the immediate treatment?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. High-dose dexamethasone with urgent radiotherapy or decompression

Metastatic spinal cord compression is an oncological emergency. High-dose corticosteroids reduce oedema, and radiotherapy or surgical decompression with stabilisation is used according to tumour radiosensitivity, stability and prognosis.

Option by option

  • A. High-dose dexamethasone with urgent radiotherapy or decompression (correct)

    Correct. Steroids plus urgent definitive treatment is standard.

  • B. Physiotherapy only

    Physiotherapy alone does not treat compression.

  • C. Chemotherapy only after 2 weeks

    Delaying treatment for chemotherapy risks permanent deficit.

  • D. Bed rest and observation

    Observation risks permanent paralysis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, High-dose dexamethasone with urgent radiotherapy or decompression. Metastatic spinal cord compression is an oncological emergency.

Why is "Physiotherapy only" not the answer?

Physiotherapy alone does not treat compression.

Why is "Chemotherapy only after 2 weeks" not the answer?

Delaying treatment for chemotherapy risks permanent deficit.

Why is "Bed rest and observation" not the answer?

Observation risks permanent paralysis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: metastatic cord compression in Orthopaedics. High-dose corticosteroids reduce oedema, and radiotherapy or surgical decompression with stabilisation is used according to tumour radiosensitivity, stability and prognosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Spine: metastatic cord compression?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.