- Anatomy:
- subarachnoid space is prolonged in a duralarachnoid sheath around
each dorsal and ventral root, roughly to level of union of roots;
- because the cord is shorter than vertebral column, nerves slope
inferiorly from their levels of origin to appropriate intervertebral
foramina, and the angle becomes more acute from above downward;
- below inferior end of cord, dural-arachnoid sac contains leash of nerve
roots and the filum terminale;
- this complex constitutes the cauda equina;
- Cauda Equina Syndrome:
- urinary retention is the most consistent finding;
- see
urologic management of the spinal cord injured patient:
- in spinal cord injuries, the caudal equina may sustain considerable initial trauma & stop
functioning, but there may be a good prognosis for partial cauda injuries;
- in any potential cauda equina syndrome it is important to examine for saddle anesthesia,
rectal tone,
bulbocaverosus reflex, and
sacral sparing;
1991 Volvo Award in experimental studies. Cauda equina syndrome:
neurologic recovery following immediate, early, or late decompression.
Arterial vascularization of the cauda equina.
Outcome of laminectomy for civilian gunshot injuries of the terminal
spinal cord and cauda equina: review of 88 cases.
Cauda equina syndrome and lumbar disc herniation.
Cauda equina syndrome and lumbar disc herniation.
Kostuik JP, Harrington I, Alexander D, et al:
J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 1986;50A:386-391.
