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Autonomic dysreflexia in patients with cancer and spinal cord injury: a case series

Spinal Cord Series and Cases volume 10, Article number: 66 (2024) Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Introduction

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a potentially life-threatening syndrome that can occur in patients with traumatic injury to the spinal cord; however, it has not been well described in patients with non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) from cancer and its treatments.

Case presentation

We report four cases of autonomic dysreflexia secondary to primary spinal cord tumors and metastatic disease to the spine, and as sequela to cancer treatment. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic considerations, and therapeutic strategies used to mitigate the symptoms are discussed.

Discussion

The case series shows that AD is a rare but important condition to consider among patients with cancer-related SCI. There is a need for close monitoring and early identification of this syndrome in this population. Therapeutic strategies are available to mitigate these symptoms and risks of complications.

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Funding

This case series was supported in part by a Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) from the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute and the Biomarker Development Program at MSKCC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Medicine Service, Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Evelyn Qin, Genevieve M. Marshall & Lisa Ruppert

Authors
  1. Evelyn Qin
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  2. Genevieve M. Marshall
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  3. Lisa Ruppert
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Contributions

Statement Each person listed as an author has participated in the case series and manuscript significantly. EQ performed chart review and lead the writing of the manuscript. GM performed chart review and contributed meaningfully to the manuscript and reviewed the final version. LR assisted in developing the manuscript idea, contributed to the final manuscript and supervised the project.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa Ruppert.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Qin, E., Marshall, G.M. & Ruppert, L. Autonomic dysreflexia in patients with cancer and spinal cord injury: a case series. Spinal Cord Ser Cases 10, 66 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-024-00678-7

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