Cauda Equina Syndrome; a Medical Emergency
It is a medical emergency, that entails compression of lumbar and sacral nerve fibers. RISK FACTORS- Cancers- IV drug use- Immunocompromised state- Trauma CLINICAL PRESENTATION- Low back pain- Sciatica / radicular pain- Lower extremity weakness or numbness- Bladder / Rectal dysfunction- On exam - lumbosacral weakness, decreased dorsiflexion, quad strength, decreased deep tendon reflexes, saddles anesthesia, decreased anal sphincter tone DIAGNOSIS- MRI is the definitive imaging study- CT myelogram ...
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