Case Studies

A secondary spinal tumor occurs when a cancer metastasizes (or spreads) to the spine from another area of the body. By far and away the leading cause of spine cancer, secondary tumors account for more than 90% of all spinal tumors. But, how do these tumors spread from point A to point B in the first place? Abnormal cells can spread to the spine through the bloodstream, where they take…

Scoliosis occurs when a child (or an adult) develops an abnormal sideways bend in his or her spine. If scoliosis emerges between the ages of 10 - 18, then we say that the child has “adolescent scoliosis.” If the cause of the scoliosis is unknown (as is often the case), then we additionally say that the child has adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (or AIS).

The patient was a 47-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of lower back pain. Upon physical examination, the patient reported stiffness, throbbing, and spasms in her lumbar spine (or lower back). When Dr. Frazier examined the patient’s legs, he discovered tightness in her hamstrings and weakness in her right and left legs.

The patient was a 51-year-old male, who had a history of alcoholism. The man had collapsed while having a seizure and found himself unable to walk after his fall. When Dr. Frazier examined the patient’s lumbar spine, the man reported experiencing severe pain. It was this lower back pain--coupled with leg weakness--that were making it impossible for the patient to walk.

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