Cuada Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a condition in which the lower part of the spinal canal becomes narrowed, resulting in compression in the nerve roots below the spinal cord. If left untreated, cauda equina syndrome can result in paralysis of the legs and loss of bladder and bowel control. In many cases, the condition is treated surgically with spinal decompression to lessen the chances of a patient suffering serious complications such as paralysis.

Causes

• Cauda equina syndrome can be caused by many things, including trauma to the spinal cord, tumors or lesions, a herniated disk, spinal stenosis, inflammation and infection.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include pain in the lower back, weakness and loss of sensation in the lower extremities, numbness in the groin and pain in the legs that begins in the butt and travels down the thighs and legs. Some people may also experience less control of the bowel and bladder.

Diagnosis

• Evaluating a patient's symptoms and performing a physical exam may indicate a case of cauda equina syndrome, but medical imaging tests are almost always ordered to make a diagnosis. During the physical exam, a doctor may check the patient's muscle strength, reflexes and sensation. X-rays and MRIs can be helpful to doctors in making the diagnosis.

Treatment

• Treatment of cauda equina syndrome is dependent on the cause. When caused by an infection or inflammation, drugs can be prescribed to help treat the condition and its symptoms. In other cases, such as those caused by injury or trauma, it may be treated as a surgical emergency because if left untreated it may result in paralysis. When a tumor is the cause, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used to reduce the size of the tumor.

Prognosis

• Prognosis for cauda equina syndrome is dependent on many factors, but the main factor is the length of time and severity of the nerve compression. In cases where the damage is severe, a complete recovery may not be possible. But in many cases patients will make a full recovery. When surgery is used as a treatment, patients may regain their function quickly after recovering from surgery. In other cases, the recovery process may take months or even years.