Australian and New Zealand journal of medicine
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Of 97 Chinese patients with multiple myeloma seen over a 12-year period, 23.7% were found to have cauda equina or spinal cord compression (SCC). Predictive features for SCC include paraprotein type, hemoglobin level, and the extent of bone lesion at initial hematological diagnosis. ⋯ Our patients presented late with advanced neurological deficit so that treatment was unsatisfactory. It is emphasised that early recognition of back pain and neurological symptoms is essential, as any delay would jeopardize the chance of neurological recovery.