Back & Neck Pain An Overview of Spinal Lesions By Anne Asher, CPT Anne Asher, CPT Facebook LinkedIn Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 23, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Jonathan Cluett, MD Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Summary A spinal lesion describes any area of abnormal tissue on the spinal cord, whether it is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Also known as a central lesion because of its impact on the central nervous system, spinal lesions have many different causes and, depending on their location, can cause different neurological (nerve-related) symptoms. This article looks at the possible symptoms and causes of spinal lesions and provides an overview of how spinal lesions are commonly diagnosed and treated. Dolgachov / Getty Images Symptoms Spinal lesions can cause different symptoms depending on their location on the spinal cord as well as the lesion type and cause. There may be problems with motor skills and abilities. Some people experience chronic pain, while others may have a loss of certain bodily functions due to the blockage or interruption of nerve signals. Among the possible symptoms of a spinal cord lesion are: PainNumbnessTingling, prickly, or burning sensationElectrical shock-like sensationsMuscle weaknessMuscle stiffnessDifficulty with fine motor skills (such as writing)Problem with balance or coordinationLoss of reflexes or overactive reflexesMuscle spasmsChanges in sexual functionLoss of bowel or bladder controlDifficulty breathingParalysis Recap Spinal lesions can cause a diverse range of neurological symptoms depending on their location, type, and cause. These may include pain, abnormal sensations, loss of motor skills, and the loss of certain bodily functions. Causes A lesion is an abnormal change caused by a disease or injury that affects any tissue or organ. Spinal lesions have a wide variety of possible causes, including: Trauma, including car accidents or severe falls Infections including polio, meningitis, tertiary syphilis, and HIV Benign tumors Cancer, either primary or metastatic Autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) Inflammatory diseases like spinal sarcoidosis and transverse myelitis Vascular disorders like spinal cord infarction Degenerative disorders like spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease Congenital malformations such as spina bifida or scoliosis Recap The causes of spinal lesions include trauma, infections, tumors (benign or malignant), and inflammatory diseases affecting the spine. They can also be caused by autoimmune, congenital, degenerative, or vascular disorders affecting the spine. Anatomy of the Spinal Nerves Diagnosis The diagnosis of a spinal lesion typically begins when a lesion is spotted on an X-ray or other imaging test. In addition to a physical exam and a review of your medical history, a neurological exam will be performed to check for any abnormalities in your reflexes, sensations, strength, and coordination. Based on the findings, other tests may be performed to narrow the possible causes. These may include: Blood and urine tests to look for signs of infection, inflammation, or disease Imaging studies, including computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Myelography to look for problems in the spinal canal Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for evaluation Spinal tumor biopsy to investigate for cancer Recap Depending on the suspected cause, the diagnosis of a spinal lesion may involve a neurological exam, lab tests, imaging studies (including myelography), a lumbar puncture, or a tumor biopsy. Treatment The treatment of a spinal lesion varies by the underlying cause. Among the examples: Infections may be treated with antibiotics, antifungals, or antiviral drugs. Inflammatory conditions may be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, or immunosuppressant drugs. Autoimmune diseases may also be treated with immunosuppressants and disease-modifying therapies. Cancer may be treated with surgical resection (removal), radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Benign tumors may require resection. Degenerative or congenital conditions may benefit from spinal surgery. Physical therapy may be able to help restore function after treatment and initial recovery. Recap The treatment of a spinal lesion varies by the underlying cause whether it be an infection, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disorder, or cancer. Surgery may be needed for degenerative or congenital conditions affecting the spine as well as benign or malignant tumors. Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain Summary A spinal lesion is an abnormal change caused by a disease or injury that affects tissues of the spinal cord. Symptoms include pain, abnormal sensations, loss of motor skills or coordination, or the loss of certain bodily functions. Causes include trauma, infection, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, spinal degeneration, congenital malformations, and benign or cancerous tumors. Spinal lesions are commonly spotted on imaging tests. Based on the suspected cause, the doctor may perform a neurological exam, various blood or urine tests, additional imaging tests, a spinal tap, or a tumor biopsy. The treatment varies by the diagnosed causes. A Word From Verywell If your healthcare provider tells you that you have a spinal lesion, it simply means that something unusual was spotted on your spinal cord. Try not to jump to conclusions or assume that you have cancer. While spinal cancer is possible, it is actually one of the more uncommon causes unless you already have another form of cancer that has metastasized (spread). Take things one step at a time, and provide your doctor with as much information about your symptoms and medical history to help narrow the possible causes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Rubin M. Overview of spinal cord disorders. Merck Manual Professional Version.