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Cauda equina syndrome and conus medullaris syndrome: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "<section begin="orthopaedics" />'''Cauda equina syndrome''' is a consequence of compression of the cauda equina, the nerve fibres of L3 – S5. '''Conus medullaris syndrome''' is a consequence of compression of the conus medullaris, the spinal cord segments T12 – L2. Both are neurological emergencies as they may cause permanent neurological injury if untreated. They are usually caused by spinal disc herniation. These syndromes are medical emergencies and so any pa...")
 
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<section begin="orthopaedics" />'''Cauda equina syndrome''' is a consequence of compression of the cauda equina, the nerve fibres of L3 – S5. '''Conus medullaris syndrome''' is a consequence of compression of the conus medullaris, the spinal cord segments T12 – L2. Both are neurological emergencies as they may cause permanent neurological injury if untreated. They are usually caused by [[spinal disc herniation]].
<section begin="neurology" /><section begin="orthopaedics" />'''Cauda equina syndrome''' is a consequence of compression of the cauda equina, the nerve fibres of L3 – S5. '''Conus medullaris syndrome''' is a consequence of compression of the conus medullaris, the spinal cord segments T12 – L2. Both are neurological emergencies as they may cause permanent neurological injury if untreated. They are usually caused by [[spinal disc herniation]].


These syndromes are medical emergencies and so any patient with these signs must undergo imaging and decompressive surgery immediately. Urgent neurosurgery to decompress the spine is necessary.
These syndromes are medical emergencies and so any patient with these signs must undergo imaging and decompressive surgery immediately. Urgent neurosurgery to decompress the spine is necessary.
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| colspan="2" |Vegetative symptoms like urinary retention, faecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction, loss of anal and bulbocavernosus reflexes
| colspan="2" |Vegetative symptoms like urinary retention, faecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction, loss of anal and bulbocavernosus reflexes
|}
|}
<section end="orthopaedics" />
<section end="orthopaedics" /><section end="neurology" />
[[Category:Orthopaedics]]
[[Category:Orthopaedics]]