Cauda equina syndrome | |
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The cauda equina is the "horse tail" of nerves that branch off after the conus medullaris | |
Specialty | Neurosurgery, orthopedics |
Symptoms | Low back pain, pain that radiates down the leg, numbness around the anus, loss of bowel or bladder control[1] |
Usual onset | Rapid or gradual[1] |
Causes | Disc herniation, spinal stenosis, cancer, trauma, epidural abscess, epidural hematoma[1][2] |
Diagnostic method | Medical imaging (MRI, CT scan)[1][3] |
Treatment | Surgery (laminectomy)[1] |
Prognosis | 20% risk of poor outcome |
Frequency | 1 in 500,000 a year |
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a condition that occurs when the bundle of nerves below the end of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina is damaged.[2] Signs and symptoms include low back pain, pain that radiates down the leg, numbness around the anus, and loss of bowel or bladder control.[1] Onset may be rapid or gradual.[1]
The cause is usually a disc herniation in the lower region of the back.[1] Other causes include spinal stenosis, cancer, trauma, epidural abscess, and epidural hematoma.[1][2] The diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms and confirmed by medical imaging such as MRI or CT scan.[1][3]
CES is generally treated surgically via laminectomy.[1] Sudden onset is regarded as a medical emergency requiring prompt surgical decompression, with delay causing permanent loss of function.[4] Permanent bladder problems, sexual dysfunction or numbness may occur despite surgery.[1][3] A poor outcome occurs in about 20% of people despite treatment.[1] About 1 in 70,000 people is affected every year.[1] It was first described in 1934.[5]
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).