Prostate cancer presenting as neuropathic urinary retention

Abstract

Early in doctors’ careers all are taught the importance of recognizing symptoms suggestive of cauda equina compression (saddle anaesthesia, disturbance of bowel and/ or bladder function, lower limb weakness) associated with back pain and its urgent management. These symptoms should be regarded as just as serious even in the absence of back pain to help prevent irreversible damage. This article presents such a case, which led to a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer.