Methylprednisolone Health Dictionary

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Methylprednisolone: From 3 Different Sources

A corticosteroid drug used to treat severe asthma, skin inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of arthritis. Adverse effects are the same as for other corticosteroid drugs.
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
A mineralcorticoid drug (see CORTICOSTEROIDS) with an action comparable to that of PREDNISOLONE, but e?ective at a somewhat lower dose.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. a glucocorticoid (see corticosteroid) used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions and allergic states. Side-effects include *electrolyte imbalance, muscle weakness, and abdominal distension.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Spinal Cord

A cylinder of nerve tissue that runs from the brain, down the central canal in the spine to the 1st lumbar vertebra. Below that, the nerve roots continue within the canal as cauda equina.

Grey matter, the spinal cord’s core, contains the cell bodies of nerve cells. Areas of white matter (tracts of nerve fibres running lengthwise) surround the grey matter. Sprouting from the cord on each side at regular intervals are the sensory and motor spinal nerve roots. The small nodule (ganglion) in each sensory root comprises nerve cell bodies. Nerve roots combine to form the spinal nerves that link the spinal cord to all regions of the trunk and limbs. The entire spinal cord is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid and surrounded by the meninges.

The nerve tracts in the white matter act mainly as highways for sensory information passing up to the brain or motor signals passing down. However, the cord processes some sensory information itself and provides motor responses without involving the brain. Many reflex actions are controlled in this way.

The spinal cord may be injured by trauma (see spinal injury); spinal-cord infections such as poliomyelitis are rare but can cause serious damage.spinal fusion Major surgery to join 2 or more adjacent vertebrae. It is performed if abnormal movement between adjacent vertebrae causes severe back pain or may damage the spinal cord. spinal injury Damage to the spine and sometimes to the spinal cord. Spinal injury is most often the result of falling from a height or of a road traffic accident. Damage to the vertebrae and their ligaments usually causes severe pain and swelling of the affected area. Damage to the spinal cord results in paralysis and/or loss of sensation below the site of injury.

X-rays of the spine are carried out to determine the extent of damage. If the bones are dislocated, surgery is needed to manipulate them back into position. Treatment with the drug methylprednisolone within a few hours of an injury aids recovery from spinal-cord damage. Surgery may be needed to remove any pressure on the cord, but damaged nerve tracts cannot be repaired. Physiotherapy may stop joints locking and muscles contracting as the result of paralysis.

If there is no spinal-cord damage, recovery is usually complete.

In cases of spinal-cord damage, some improvement may occur for up to 12 months.... spinal cord


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