Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: back pain, cauda equina (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/4/2013 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 11/9/2013)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD
Cauda equina syndrome results from compression of multiple lumbar and sacral nerve roots
Causes: Central disc herniation, spinal epidural abscess, malignancy, trauma, hematoma.
Consider this entity in those with back pain and radiculopathy at multiple spinal levels
Urinary retention occurs in >90% of patients
Saddle anesthesia occurs in 75%
Decreased rectal sphincter tone occurs in 60 to 80%
A post void residual volume <100 mL makes this entity very unlikely