Presentation Of Cauda Equina Syndrome Research Articles

A rare case report on cauda equina syndrome

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is a rare but serious neurologic condition in which neurological dysfunction affects the lumbar and sacral nerve roots within the vertebral canal. CES is a clinical entity consisting of low back ache, bilateral leg pain with motor and sensory deficits, genitourinary dysfunction, saddle anaesthesia and faecal incontinence. It is a rare condition with a prevalence in the general population estimated between 1:100000 and 1:33000. The presentation of CES may vary, especially in the early stages of compression. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the accepted gold standard modality of choice for diagnosing CES which identifies potential mimics such as aortic dissection or spinal infarction. Here we discuss a rare and unique case of CES with atypical presentation, knowledge of which is essential for early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of permanent neurological dysfunction.

Presentation of cauda equina syndrome due to pyogenic epidural abscess rare etiology of cauda equina syndrome

Introduction: Cauda equina syndrome is caused by compression or injury to the nerve roots distal to the level of the spinal cord. This syndrome presents as low back pain, motor and sensory deficits in the lower extremities, and bladder as well as bowel dysfunction. Acute cauda equina syndrome presenting in an immunocompetent patient is usually due to a prolapse of the intervertebral disc. Although various etiologies of cauda equina syndrome have been reported, a less common cause is infection. Case presentation: A 35-year-old male patient presented with weakness of both lower limbs with loss of bladder and bowel control for three day. He had a history of pain in the lower back since one month. The extensors and flexors of the toes on both sides had Medical Research Council (MRC) grade of 3/5 power. Sensations were decreased below the S1 dermatome on both sides with perianal anesthesia and the ankle jerk was absent on both sides. A clinical diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome was made. Conclusion: Cauda equina syndrome, presenting as a result of spinal infection, such as the case reported here, is extremely rare but clinically important. Surgical intervention is generally the recommended therapeutic modality with good functional outcome.

Impact of MR Neurography in Patients with Chronic Cauda Equina Syndrome Presenting as Chronic Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction

Chronic cauda equina syndrome, defined as persistent damage of the cauda equina nerve roots within the spinal canal can be a challenging diagnosis with varied presentations. MR neurography imaging is more commonly being used to evaluate the lumbosacral spine of patients suspected of having subacute or chronic cauda equina syndrome. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of lumbosacral plexus MR neurography in the diagnostic thinking and therapeutic management of patients presenting with chronic pelvic pain and dysfunction and suspected chronic cauda equina syndrome. Consecutive MR neurography lumbosacral plexus examinations at our institution were reviewed retrospectively. Relevant data collected included the following: patient demographics, clinical history, pertinent physical examination findings, preimaging diagnostic impression, prior MR imaging lumbar spine findings, MR neurography findings, postimaging diagnosis, and postimaging treatment plan. The impact of imaging on the preimaging clinical diagnosis and therapeutic management was evaluated. Of 185 studies of patients who presented with chronic pelvic pain and/or dysfunction, 23 with clinically suspected chronic cauda equina syndrome and imaging findings were included in the study (2 subjects were lost to follow-up). The mean ages were 53 ± 12 years and 53 ± 16 years for men and women, respectively. The common etiologies included arachnoiditis (n = 8), tethered cord (n = 2), and simple/Tarlov cysts (n = 3). Eighteen of 23 (78%) subjects had a change in diagnosis resulting from MR neurography findings, and 5/23 (22%) had no change. Seventeen of 21 (81%) subjects had a change in management, and 4/21 (19%) had no change. MR neurography impacts the diagnosis and therapeutic management of patients with suspected chronic cauda equina syndrome.

Outcome of Spinal Decompression in Cauda Equina Syndrome Presenting Late in Developing Countries: Case Series of 50 Cases

The purpose of this study is to find the clinical outcome of decompression of Cauda Equina presenting late in the course of disease. There were 33 males and 17 females with average age of 48 years, ranging from 25 to 85 years. All patients presented to us with a fully developed Cauda Equina syndrome (CES). All of them presented late with mean delay of 12.2 days. Time interval between bladder and bowel dysfunction and admission to hospital varied from 1 to 35 days. The average follow-up was 34.5 months, ranging from 12 to 60 months. There was no statistically significant difference in time of delay in surgery between the recovered and non-recovered group as tested by Student9s t test. But there was a statistically significant positive correlation between duration taken for total recovery and delay in surgery. Anal wink as a predictor of bladder and bowel recovery also showed statistical significance, as patients with an absence had a poorer prognosis for bladder recovery. The result of surgery in CES is not as dramatic and fast as seen after routine disc surgery. Some improvement can be expected with decompression even in those patients presenting late and results are not universally poor as previously thought. The treating physicians of such patients should be aware that the recovery in this group of patients can take an exceptionally long time and hence should involve in constant reassurance and rehabilitation of the patient. Presence of anal wink is a very good predictor of bladder and bowel recovery

Indeterminate cauda equina syndrome: A case report

The presentation of cauda equina syndrome (CES) varies from its classical presentation, especially in its early stages of compression. We present a case of lumbar disc prolapse causing CES in an uncharacteristic way, knowledge of which is essential for orthopaedicians to diagnose this condition early and prevent neurological complications. A 32-year-old male patient presented to us with complaints of inability to lift his left ankle and numbness over his left leg and ankle for 14 days. Clinical examination showed involvement of left L3, L4, L5 and S1 nerve roots as evidenced by weakness of quadriceps, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus muscles and tendo achilles. Knee jerk was absent. The opposite lower limb was normal and there was no evidence of bowel bladder involvement or saddle anaesthesia. The MRI showed L2 L3 posterocentral disc prolapse compressing the cauda equina. The patient underwent laminectomy and discectomy. Post-operatively, the patient showed significant improvement in his sensory symptoms with complete recovery of motor power in 12 weeks. In contrast to the classical presentation of CES, several case series have been reported with varied clinical manifestations like unilateral leg symptomatology, unilateral or bilateral saddle anaesthesia with or without leg symptoms and CES with complete absence of signs and symptoms in the lower limbs. The disc prolapse in our case at L2-L3 level has compressed the left-sided L3, L4, L5 roots with minimal compression of S1. The classical features of CES would have occurred due to the lateral shift of the cauda equina in our case but for our early diagnosis and intervention.

Unusual delayed presentation of cauda equina syndrome after failed spinal anesthesia.

Unusual delayed presentation of cauda equina syndrome after failed spinal anesthesia.

Atypical presentation of cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation

The article describes the case of 35 year old female who was admitted to the department with saddle type hypoesthesia, anal incontinence without muscle weakness of lower extremities and sciatica. Central lumbar disc herniation (LDH) was determined on level L5-S1 level and the patient was operated thereafter. In the postoperative period, the patient did not have any muscle weakness of leg but had residual saddle type sensory loss and sphincter dysfunction. This article discusses atypical presentation of cauda equina syndrome (CES) secondary to LDH. Early diagnosis and surgery are important factors for a better prognosis in CES.

Cauda equina syndrome presenting as abdominal pain: a case report

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is an uncommon entity. Symptoms include bowel and bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia, and varying degrees of lower limb motor and sensory disturbances. The consequences of delayed diagnosis can be devastating, resulting in bowel and bladder incontinence and lower limb paralysis. There is little in literature regarding abdominal pain as a significant feature of the initial presentation of CES. We present the case of a 32-year-old woman with CES who presented to the emergency department with gradually worsening lower abdominal pain.

Incomplete Cauda Equina Syndrome Presenting with Acute Urinary Retention in the Emergency Department

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare but serious neurosurgical emergency that can have devastating long-lasting neurologic consequences. CES caused by herniated lumbar discs is rare in the literature. We report an unusual case of incomplete CES due to lumbar disc herniation. The patient presented to our emergency department with acute onset of low back pain, saddle (perineal) anaesthesia, urinary retention and constipation without motor deficit or sciatica. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large herniated disc originated from the L5-S1 disc space with compression of the cauda equina. This case illustrates that patients with CES accompanying a disc herniation may not have all the characteristic features of CES such as pain radiating to the legs or muscle weakness. We recommend that urgent MRI assessment should be performed in all patients who present with sudden onset of urinary symptoms in the context of lumbar back pain or loss of perineal sensation.

A rare etiology of cauda equina syndrome

Fungal infections of the spine are very rare and usually seen in immunocompromised patients. Acute cauda equina syndrome presenting in an immunocompetent patient is usually due to a prolapse of the intervertebral disc. Infective pathology caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis with epidural collection can also have a similar presentation. We present a case of spinal epidural abscess caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, presenting as acute cauda equina syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, spinal aspergillosis presenting as cauda equina syndrome in an immunocompetent patient has not been reported before in the English-language based medical literature. Surgical decompression with antifungal treatment with oral itraconazole yielded a good recovery.

Concomitant Cauda Equina Syndrome and Lumbar Diskitis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection

Cauda equina syndrome and lumbar diskitis are relatively uncommon conditions. This case report describes a case of concomitant presentation of cauda equina syndrome and lumbar diskitis in a patient with an Escherichia coli culture-positive extruded disk fragment. To our knowledge this is the first case of a patient who presented with cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar diskitis from a urinary tract infection.

Cauda Equina Syndrome Presenting as a Herniated Lumbar Disk

Cauda Equina Compression (CEC) is a clinical syndrome consisting of low back pain, bilateral sciatica, saddle anesthesia, bilateral lower extremity weakness, and even frank paraplegia with bowel and bladder incontinence. At the onset of CEC, the clinical picture may resemble typical intervertebral disk disease with low back pain and unilateral sciatica. The back pain is severe, overshadowing the leg pain, and should alert the physician to the periodic evaluation of the patient and evidence of a progressive neurologic deficit. Early discovery of CEC is necessary if neurologic recovery is to be expected from decompressive laminectomy.