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Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review

The American Journal of Orthopedics. 2008 November;37(11):556-562
November 1, 2008|The American Journal of Orthopedics
Gitelman A;Hishmeh S;Morelli BN;Joseph Sa Jr.;Casden A;Kuflik P;Neuwirth M
Author and Disclosure Information

Alex Gitelman, MD, Shuriz Hishmeh, MD, Brian N. Morelli, MD, Samuel A. Joseph, Jr., MD, Andrew Casden, MD, Paul Kuflik, MD, Michael Neuwirth, MD, and Mark Stephen, MD

Dr. Gitelman, Dr. Hishmeh, and Dr. Morelli are Orthopaedic Residents, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.

Dr. Joseph is Attending Surgeon, Moreno Spine and Scoliosis, Tampa, Florida.

Dr. Casden and Dr. Kuflik are Associate Directors, and Dr. Neuwirth is Director, Spine Institute of New York–Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York.

Dr. Stephen is Chief of Spinal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare syndrome that has been described as a complex of symptoms and signs—low back pain, unilateral or bilateral sciatica, motor weakness of lower extremities, sensory disturbance in saddle area, and loss of visceral function—resulting from compression of the cauda equina. CES occurs in approximately 2% of cases of herniated lumbar discs and is one of the few spinal surgical emergencies. In this article, we review information that is critical in understanding, diagnosing, and treating CES.

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