cauda equina

Back pain isn’t always straightforward. This EM Educator looks at cauda equina syndrome.

The “road test” is a vital component of the ED evaluation. This Medical Malpractice Insights post from Dr. Pilcher evaluates a case involving failure to walk a patient with neurological complaints.

In this episode we go through seven cases that display the breadth of presentations of limb or life threatening causes of low back pain emergencies with my huge mentors, Dr. Walter Himmel and Dr. Brian Steinhart. We cover everything from spinal epidural abscess to cauda equina syndrome to retroperitoneal bleeds, elucidating the key historical, physical exam, lab, imaging and treatment pearls for all of these diagnoses. We then go on to review the best management for the most common cause of back pain presentation, lumbosacral strain and debate the various medication options.

“Recent studies have suggested that the timing of surgery may be less important for overall outcomes. Rather, outcomes may be more related to the extent of cord compression at presentation”

Jennifer Robertson, MD, MSEd brings us an update on cauda equina syndrome, including making the diagnosis, timing of surgery, and medicolegal risks.