Suffering from an acute cauda equina syndrome is an uncommon, but neurologically very significant pathology; an anatomical compression of nerve roots, usually caused by a lumbar disk hernia, is a common cause in the western population (Panos et al., 2016). Being a bundle of nerve, it is called after a horse’s tail, to which it resembles.
Function:
The cauda equina is part of the spinal cord, allowing transmission of signals from and to the brain for movement control, sensation and visceral function.
Common reasons:
Cauda equina syndrome describes severe pressure and swelling of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Symptoms can be: paralysis, impaired bladder and/or bowel control, difficulty walking and/or other neurological and physical issues amongst severe back pain.
This is usually caused by: herniated lumbosacral disk, spinal stenosis, hematoma, trauma and spinal neoplasm (tumor).
Treatment:
Definitive treatment involves prompt surgical decompression with a dependency of the outcome on the timing of the operation (Mehta et al., 2015).
References:
Panos G. et al., 2016, Differential diagnosis and treatment of acute cauda equina syndrome in the human immunodeficiency virus positive patient: a case report and review of the literature, Journal of Medical Case Reports, 10 (165); 10.1186/s13256-016-0902-y
Metha N. et al., 2015, Documentation of Focal Neurology on Patients with Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome and the Development of an Assessment Proforma, The Open Orthopaedics Journal, 9, pp: 390-394
