Cauda equina syndrome
| Cauda equina syndrome | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cauda equina and filum terminale seen from behind. | ||
| ICD-10 | G83.4 | |
| ICD-9 | 344.6 | |
| DiseasesDB | 31115 | |
| MeSH | C10.668.829.800.750.700 | |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Joanna Ekabua, M.D. [2]
Overview
The cauda equina is a collection of nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Cauda equina syndrome is due to compression of these nerves. It is an emergency medical condition requiring acute intervention in the form of acute decompression surgery to prevent permanent neurological damage to the urinary bladder, Intestine, sex organs and lower limbs.
Historical perspective
Classification
Cauda equina syndrome may be classified into complete and incomplete.[1][2]
- Cauda equina complete with urinary retention
- Cauda equina syndrome incomplete
| Cauda equina syndrome | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Complete with urinary retention | Incomplete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumbar +/- leg pain, sensory and motor deficency in lower extremities, painless urine retention with overflow incontinence, total perianal sensory loss, and fecal incontinece. | Lumbar +/- leg pain, sensory and motor deficency in lower extremities, loss of micturition reflex, altered urinary sensation and hesitancy, partial saddle anesthesia, and decreased anal sphinter tone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pathophysiology
Cauda equina syndrome is caused by compression of the lumbar and sacral nerves roots arising below the conus medullaris.[2]
Causes
Cauda equina syndrome may be caused by[3]
Differentiating cauda equina syndrome from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of cauda equina syndrome is 2 per 100,000 world wide.[1]
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
The most common symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include
- Intermittent Lower back pain radiating to the lower extremities. [2][3]
- Decreased muscle strength bilaterally.[3][2]
- Fecal incontinence[3][2]
- Urinary incontinence/ retention[1][3][2]
- Unilateral or bilateral sciatica[2]
- Saddle anesthesia[2]
Physical Examination
- Hypesthesia[3]
- Lasegue sign[3]
- Decreased knee and ankle reflex bilaterally. [3]
Laboratory findinds
X-ray
Ultrasound
CT Scan
Lumbosacral CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of cauda equina syndrome include
- CT scans show herniated nucleus pulposus at the L4/5 level.
MRI
Lumbosacral MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome.[3][2] Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of cauda equina syndrome include
- In Lumbar disc herniation, MRI shows a disc mass filling most of the spinal canal compressing the cauda equina.
Other Imaging Findings
Other Imaging Findings
Treatment
Medical Treatment
Surgery
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for cauda equina syndrome.[2][3] Procedures used include
- Laminectomy and discectomy (most common)
- Hemilaminectomy
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody infusion
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Srikandarajah N, Noble A, Clark S, Wilby M, Freeman BJC, Fehlings MG; et al. (2020). "Cauda Equina Syndrome Core Outcome Set (CESCOS): An international patient and healthcare professional consensus for research studies". PLoS One. 15 (1): e0225907. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225907. PMC 6953762 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 31923259. - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Srikandarajah N, Wilby M, Clark S, Noble A, Williamson P, Marson T (2018). "Outcomes Reported After Surgery for Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Systematic Literature Review". Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 43 (17): E1005–E1013. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002605. PMC 6104724. PMID 29432394.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Luo D, Ji C, Xu H, Feng H, Zhang H, Li K (2020). "Intradural disc herniation at L4/5 level causing Cauda equina syndrome: A case report". Medicine (Baltimore). 99 (7): e19025. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019025. PMC 7035013 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 32049799 Check|pmid=value (help).
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