Which of the following is false regarding neoplastic compressive myelopathy?: (A) Most neoplasms are subdural in origin, (B) Thoracic spine is most commonly involved, (C) Tumor does not cross the disk space to involve adjacent veebral body, (D) Prognosis is poor when motor deficits are established for > 48 hours
Answer is A. Any malignant tumour can metastasise to spinal columns, paicularly tumours of breast, lung, prostate, kidney, lymphoma and myeloma. The most common site is the thoracic spinal column. Most neoplasms are epidural in origin, resulting from metastases to adjacent veebral body. Unlike infections of the spinal column, the tumours do not cross the disk space. Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st edition, p2653