A recent study done in a hospital in Scotland highlighted some observations we have noticed in clinical practice. Namely that many patients who present with the physical symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome do not have cauda equina compression, but a different problem.
They assessed 198 patients that presented with cauda equina symptoms and signs, including urinary retention, and found:
- 1/3 had genuine cauda equina compression as demonstrated by MRI.
- 1/3 had a mixed picture – some spine disease, such as disc protrusion but not actual compression.
- 1/3 displayed the classic symptoms, including urinary retention, but a scan of the spine revealed there was no compression. The people in this latter group had developed a functional neurological disorder, were in discomfort and so needed help. It is just that their problem was not caused by cauda equina compression.
You can find more detail on the above research on Cauda Equina Syndrome in my article for referrers here, and in the webinar recording below.
Webinar for GPs:
Cauda Equina Syndrome revisited
Wednesday 7 August 2024
In this 30-minute briefing, I explain cover the latest research, examination and diagnosis options in more detail.
Click below to view the recording.
Click here to download the PDF slides.
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Posted 7 August 2024
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