24. Red flag
Age < 20 years or > 50 years
Rest pain
Thoracic pain
Generally unwell, weight loss
Major trauma
History of cancer
Neurological deficit
Structural spinal deformity
High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (> 20 mm/hr)
32. Cauda Equina Syndrome
• Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a serious
condition that comes with extreme pressure
and swelling of the nerves at the end of the
spinal cord. Symptoms can vary depending on
the degree of nerve compression at the cauda
equina
33. • Sensory and motor
fibers to the lower
limbs.
• Sensory innervation to
the saddle area.
• Voluntary control of
the external anal and
urinary sphincters
34. • conus medullaris
– tapered, terminal end of the spinal cord
– terminates at T12 or L1 vertebral body
• filum terminale
– non-neural, fibrous extension of the conus medullaris that
attaches to the coccyx
• cauda equina (horse's tail)
– collection of L1-S5 peripheral nerves within the lumbar canal
– compression considered to cause lower motor neuron lesions
35. • S1,2 and 3 > sacrum and gluteal region
• S4 and 5 > coccyx
• S2,3 and 4 > pudendal n > bladder function
36.
37. Symptoms
• Severe low back pain, sciatica pain
• Loss or altered sensation in saddle area and legs (saddle anesthesia) -
Severe or progressive loss of sensation in the lower extremities,
perineum, genitalia, buttocks, the inner thighs and legs
• Weakness in legs leading to difficulty in standing and walking. This type of
weakness is often asymmetric
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction such as retention or incontinence of urine
and feces. There may be repeated urinary infections due to retention
• Sexual dysfunction such as impotence, loss of ejaculation or orgasm that
happens suddenly
• Loss of reflexes such as knee, ankle, anal and bulbocavernosus (a muscle
of the perineum)
38.
39.
40. Symptoms
Injury or compression of the cauda equina is
considered a surgical emergency and quick action
is needed to prevent lasting damage such as
paralysis of the legs, loss of sexual sensation, and
bladder and bowel incontinence. Even with
immediate treatment, some patients may not
recover complete function.
41. classification
• Incomplete(CES-I) that accounts for 40 % of
cases. There is loss or absence of sensation in the
area of the buttocks, perineum and inner
surfaces of the thighs [saddle region].
• Cauda Equina Syndrome with retention (CES-R)
that accounts for 60 % of cases. In this case along
with impaired sensation there is urinary retention
or incontinence.
44. • Physiotherapy and exercises
• Using a laxative on a regular basis, eating a
high fiber diet and maintaining a good fluid
intake are useful measures which can be
helpful
• Self-catheterization is needed if the bladder is
unable to empty