What is a cauda equina compression?
Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the nerve roots in the lumbar spine are compressed, cutting off sensation and movement. Nerve roots that control the function of the bladder and bowel are especially vulnerable to damage.
What is the cauda equina explain why it forms?
The cauda equina is formed by the continuation of nerve fibers beyond the spinal cord. Compression of the cauda equina, such as by a herniated disc, may cause severe pain and numbness in both legs.
What happens in cauda equina?
In patients with cauda equina syndrome, something compresses on the spinal nerve roots. You may need fast treatment to prevent lasting damage leading to incontinence and possibly permanent paralysis of the legs. CES affects a bundle of nerve roots called cauda equina (Latin for horse’s tail).
What is the cauda equina and why is it given this name?
The most distal bulbous part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris, and its tapering end continues as the filum terminale. Distal to this end of the spinal cord is a collection of nerve roots, which are horsetail-like in appearance and hence called the cauda equina (Latin for horse’s tail).
What is CES disease?
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) occurs when there is dysfunction of multiple lumbar and sacral nerve roots of the cauda equina.
Why is the cauda equina important?
Cauda equina and filum terminale seen from behind. The nerves that compose the cauda equina innervate the pelvic organs and lower limbs to include motor innervation of the hips, knees, ankles, feet, internal anal sphincter and external anal sphincter.
What happens when the thecal sac is compressed?
If there is central stenosis and marked compression of the entire dural/thecal sac, the patient may demonstrate paralysis (e.g., cauda equina syndrome) with sphincter loss (bladder and rectal dysfunction).
Is cauda equina the same as spinal cord compression?
Spinal cord compression and Cauda Equina Syndrome have similar symptoms, including back pain and weakness or paralysis of the lower limbs. This means the relatively rare Cauda Equina Syndrome is often misdiagnosed as spinal cord compression, resulting in the right treatment often not being given in time.
At what level does cauda equina start?
The cauda equina is a group of nerves and nerve roots stemming from the distal end of the spinal cord, typically levels L1-L5 and contains axons of nerves that give both motor and sensory innervation to the legs, bladder, anus, and perineum.
Can you walk with cauda equina?
Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency that calls for urgent surgical intervention. If patients with cauda equina syndrome do not receive treatment quickly, adverse results can include paralysis, impaired bladder, and/or bowel control, difficulty walking, and/or other neurological and physical problems.
How common is cauda equina?
Cauda equina syndrome is a relatively rare condition, comprising around 2–6% of lumbar disc operations [16, 17, 31], with an incidence in the population thought to be between 1 in 33,000 to 1 in 100,000 [1].
What causes clumping in the Cuada equina?
These are the most common causes of cauda equina syndrome: A severe ruptured disk in the lumbar area (the most common cause). Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis). A spinal lesion or malignant tumor.
What are the first signs of cauda equina syndrome?
Low back pain
Is cauda equina syndrome life threatening?
Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition in which pressure is exerted on the group of nerves and nerve roots known collectively as the cauda equina. This leads to loss of control of the pelvic organs and the legs.
Is sciatica the same as cauda equina?
Although sciatica and cauda equina syndrome can present with quite similar symptoms starting with unbearable lower back pain, sciatica is a symptom and treating the problem causing it can remove the symptom. There can be various treatment options available to take care of sciatica.