What is a space occupying lesion on the spinal cord?

Serious: This s an abnormal tissue growth in the spinal cord. It may be caused by trauma (swelling), multiple sclerosis, a tumor or infection. This require an urgent evaluation by a neurologist. We often get an MRI to further work up the lesion.

Mass on spinal cord: This refers to a mass that is pushing on the spinal cord.This can include a blood clot, a tumor, a piece of ruptured disc, or even bone fragments (for example after a severe injury). These are just some of the more common examples.The bottom line is that these cause pressure and damage to the spinal cord that can lead to weakness, paralysis, numbness.These are often removed by neurosurgeons.

Abnormality: Any abnormality that occupies a space that normally is occupied by spinal cord in above reference.. It usually refers to a suspicious tumor but could be blood, pus or cyst etc.