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13A. Ischias syndrome and cervicobrachialgia (symptoms, warning signs): Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "= Ischias syndrome = Ischias syndrome (sciatica) is one manifestation of spinal cord disease. It’s characterised by the presence of back pain and radiating pain down the leg, but no other neurological symptoms. It’s caused by compression of the L4 – S1 roots. The other manifestations of spinal cord disease are cervicobrachialgia, chronic back pain, and lumboischialgia (topic 23A). == Etiology == * Spinal disc herniation (most common) * Trauma to the back * Spond...")
 
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= Conus medullaris and cauda equina syndrome =
= Conus medullaris and cauda equina syndrome =
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.
{{#lst:Cauda equina syndrome and conus medullaris syndrome|neurology}}
 
== Warning signs ==
 
* Saddle anaesthesia
* Paraplaegia
* Urinary retention or incontinence
* Loss of lower extremity reflexes
 
These signs are suspicious for spinal cord compression, conus medullaris syndrome or cauda equina syndrome. These syndromes are medical emergencies and so any patient with these signs must undergo imaging and decompressive surgery immediately. Urgent neurosurgery is necessary.
 
== Clinical features ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Conus medullaris syndrome
!Cauda equina syndrome
|-
|An upper motor neuron lesion
|A lower motor neuron lesion
|-
|Symmetric symptoms
|Asymmetric symptoms
|-
|Motor symptoms rare
|Paraparesis and loss of patellar and Achilles reflex
|-
| colspan="2" |Sensory loss of pelvic and perianal region (saddle anaesthesia)
|-
|No pain
|Radicular pain
|-
| colspan="2" |Vegetative symptoms like urinary retention, faecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction, loss of anal and bulbocavernosus reflexes
|}
[[Category:Neurology 2]]
[[Category:Neurology 2]]