CEN Tip of the Day - Cauda Equina Syndrome

Etiology: Fall onto coccyx, abscess, tumor, or herniated disk leads to compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots “horse-tail”.

S/S: low back pain, urinary retention (90%) followed by incontinence, sciatica, bowel retention or incontinence, saddle anesthesia, loss of DTR’s, loss of rectal tone, sexual dysfunction.

DX: MRI

TX: Neurosurgical or orthopedic consult for emergency surgery

Reference:

http://www.emdocs.net/em3am-cauda-equina-syndrome/

https://coreem.net/core/cauda-equina-syndrome/

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