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Emergency: requires immediate attention
Cauda equina syndrome
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed
Emergency: requires immediate attention

Cauda equina syndrome

Contributors: Andrea Wasilewski MD, Jamie Adams MD, Richard L. Barbano MD, PhD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Cauda equina syndrome is a neurologic emergency where damage to the lumbosacral plexus leads to loss of lower motor neuron function. Trauma, tumors or abscesses, large lumbar disk herniation, and spinal stenosis are some of the etiologies of this condition.

Onset is typically gradual but can be acute. Signs and symptoms include severe back pain that may radiate into one or both legs, saddle anesthesia, leg weakness or paraplegia, urinary or bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and gait disturbance. There may be reduced or absent patellar, Achilles, anal, and bulbocavernosus reflexes.

Prognosis depends on severity and duration of compression or damage to the affected nerves.

Codes

ICD10CM:
G83.4 – Cauda equina syndrome

SNOMEDCT:
192970008 – Cauda Equina Syndrome

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Therapy

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Last Reviewed:05/08/2018
Last Updated:04/26/2023
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Emergency: requires immediate attention
Cauda equina syndrome
Imaging Studies image of Cauda equina syndrome - imageId=8332657. Click to open in gallery.  caption: '<span>Sag T2 MRI sequence of the  lumbar spine demonstrates a mass with increased T2 signal involving the  terminal aspects of the conus medullaris, with expansion of the cord and  perilesional edema. This mass was found to represent an astrocytoma, and  was resulting in symptoms of cauda equina syndrome secondary to  compression of the cauda equina.</span>'
Sag T2 MRI sequence of the lumbar spine demonstrates a mass with increased T2 signal involving the terminal aspects of the conus medullaris, with expansion of the cord and perilesional edema. This mass was found to represent an astrocytoma, and was resulting in symptoms of cauda equina syndrome secondary to compression of the cauda equina.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.