Cauda Equina Syndrome

The Zero to Finals Medical Revision Podcast

Thomas Watchman

Life Sciences, Education, Medical Finals, Medicine, Surgery, Health & Fitness, Paediatrics, Medical Student, Medical Education, Medical Exams, Medical School, Medical Revision, Science, Learn Medicine, Finals Revision, Obstetrics And Gynaecology

4.8 • 678 Ratings

🗓️ 9 March 2022

⏱️ 6 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This episode covers cauda equina syndrome. Written notes can be found at https://zerotofinals.com/surgery/orthopaedics/caudaequina/ or in the orthopaedic section of the Zero to Finals surgery book. The audio in the episode was expertly edited by Harry Watchman.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be talking to you about Corder Aquina Syndrome. And you can find written notes on this topic at zero to finals.com slash corda equina or in the orthopedic section of the zero to finals surgery book.
0:24.3	So let's get straight into it.
0:27.0	Cordia Aquina syndrome is a surgical emergency where the nerve roots of the corda equina at the
0:33.1	bottom of the spine are compressed. It requires emergency decompression surgery to prevent permanent
0:39.9	neurological dysfunction. However, even with immediate decompression, patients may still not regain
0:47.2	full function. Let's start by talking about the pathophysiology. The Corder Aquina, which translates as horse's tail, is a collection of nerve
0:57.8	roots that travel through the spinal canal after the spinal cord terminates at around L2-L-3.
1:05.6	The spinal cord tapers down at the end in a section called the conus medullaris.
1:12.1	The nerve roots of the cordoacquina exit either side of the spinal column at their
1:17.0	vertebral level. From L3 to L5, S1 to S5 and CO.
1:24.3	The nerves of the corda equinear supply sensation to the perineum, bladder and rectum, motor
1:31.8	innovation to the lower limbs and the anal and urethral sphinctors so they control both fecal and
1:38.5	urinary continents and parasympathetic innovation to the bladder and the rectum.
1:45.2	In Corderoquina syndrome, the nerves of the Cordiaquina are compressed.
1:50.4	There are several possible causes of this compression,
1:53.9	including a herniated disc, which is the most common cause,
1:58.3	tumours, particularly metastases,
2:04.0	spondylolisis, which is where there's anterior displacement of a vertebra out of line with the vertebra below, an abscess containing
2:11.3	infection and trauma. Let's talk about the red flags. The key red flags for Corder Aquina to look out for
2:19.5	are saddle anaesthesia, which is loss of sensation in the perineum around the genitals and the
2:24.8	anus. Loss of sensation in the bladder and the rectum, which means the patient will not know
2:31.7	when they have a full bladder or a full rectum,
	...

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