ABSTRACT
Although rare, cauda equina syndrome (CES) may be a neurosurgical emergency. The incidence of CES has been estimated to be between 1 per 33,000 cases and 7 per 100,000 inhabitants. CES can cause significant physical and mental disabilities and may result in considerable social and financial costs. The cauda equina comprises the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerve roots in the lumbar spine distal to the conus medullaris. Nerve roots in the cauda equina are made up of a dorsal root, which consists of afferent fibers for transmission of sensation, and a ventral root, which consists of the efferent pathway and allows transmission of motor and sympathetic fibers. CES is usually diagnosed after a thorough clinical examination that includes both a physical component and a comprehensive patient history. Symptom onset may be sudden, within 24 hours, or symptoms may occur gradually over several weeks.
