A serious (emergency) medical condition commonly seen in patients with injury to the upper spinal cord (above T6). It is caused by massive sympathetic discharge of stimuli from the autonomic nervous system. It may be triggered by distention of the bladder or colon, a skin lesion (pressure sore), catheterization or irrigation of the bladder, cystoscopy, or transurethral resection. Symptoms include sudden hypertension, bradycardia, sweating, severe headache, and cold gooseflesh below the trauma lesion level. The stimulus must be quickly identified and eliminated.