Issues could include the patients need for physiotherapy and occupational therapy due to lower limb dysfunction. Lifestyle issues may need to be addressed post - treatment. Treatment for those with cauda equina can and should be carried out at any time during pregnancy. Surgery can still be performed and the pregnancy does not adversely affect treatment. If a bacterial infection is the cause then an appropriate course of antibiotics can be used to treat it.Ĭauda equina can occur during pregnancy due to lumbar disc herniation age of mother increases the risk. ankylosing spondylitis, anti-inflammatory, including steroids can be used as an effective treatment. If the syndrome is due to an inflammatory condition e.g. If the tumor cannot be removed surgically and it is malignant then radiotherapy may be used as an alternative to relieve pressure, with spinal neoplasms chemotherapy can also be used. Surgery may be required to remove blood, bone fragments, a tumor or tumors, a herniated disc or an abnormal bone growth. If cauda equina is caused by a trauma then the patient should be immobilized. This treatment may significantly improve the chance that long-term neurological damage will be avoided. ruptured disc, epidural abscess, tumor or hematoma is demonstrated. Surgical decompression by means of laminectomy or other approaches may be undertaken within 48 hours of symptoms developing if a compressive lesion, e.g. When cauda equina is caused by a herniated disk early surgical decompression is recommended.Ĭauda equina syndrome of sudden onset is regarded as a medical/surgical emergency. The management of true cauda equina syndrome frequently involves surgical decompression. Sometimes, myelogram is used for diagnosis. How is it diagnosed?ĭiagnosis is usually confirmed by an MRI scan or CT scan. Six of these had no post-void residual vol- ume documented, and 14/61 (23) had a. Pain may, however, be wholly absent the patient may complain only of lack of bladder control and of saddle-anesthesia, and may walk into the consulting-room. Bladder scanning was carried out in 67/99 (68) of those not catheterized. Also, there may be decreased anal tone sexual dysfunction saddle anesthesia bilateral leg pain and weakness and bilateral absence of ankle reflexes. Signs include weakness of the muscles innervated by the compressed roots (often paraplegia), sphincter weaknesses causing urinary retention and post-void residual incontinence as assessed by catheterizing after the patient has urinated. For more information, please visit our Integrated Spine Care site What is it?Ĭauda equina syndrome (CES) is a serious neurologic condition in which there is acute loss of function of the lumbar plexus, neurologic elements (nerve roots) of the spinal canal below the termination (conus) of the spinal cord.
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