The McCormick Classification was published in 1990[^1] and is used for the clinical neurological grading of patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors into four different grades:
Classification
Grade | Description |
1 | Neurologically normal; mild focal deficits that do not significantly affect the function of the affected limb. Mild spasticity or reflex abnormality. Normal gait. |
2 | Presence of sensorimotor deficits that affect the function of the affected limb. Mild to moderate gait instability. Severe pain or dysesthesia affecting the patient's quality of life. The patient remains independent. |
3 | Significant neurological deficit. The patient requires crutches or support for ambulation, or there is a significant bilateral upper-extremity deficit. The patient may be self-sufficient or independent. |
4 | Severe deficit. The patient requires a wheelchair or crutches\/support for ambulation, with bilateral upper-extremity impairment. The patient is not independent. |
