##common.pageHeaderLogo.altText##

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025)

Post-Operative Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Comprehensive Overview

Clinical Medicine And Health Research Journal, Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025), 5 February 2025 , Page 1101-1109
https://doi.org/10.18535/cmhrj.v5i1.437

Abstract

Post operative cauda equina syndrome can be defined as a rare but serious complication that can occur typically after spinal surgery. It involves the compression and/or ischemic changes to the cauda equina which can lead to severe neurological deficits.


This is a comprehensive review aiming to identify what current literature concluded regarding common and uncommon causes of post operative CES, commonly used treatment methods, and the outcome of post operative cauda equina syndrome in addition to the role of early detection and management of CES and whether there are intraoperative predictors for post-operative CES or not.


Thirty-one studies were included in this review. aiming to comprehensivley analyse this devastating postoperative complication.

How to Cite

Al-Mahfoodh, A. B. ., Hamdan, T. ., Mohammed Jawad, M. S. ., & Lui, D. . (2025). Post-Operative Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Comprehensive Overview. Clinical Medicine And Health Research Journal, 5(1), 1101–1109. https://doi.org/10.18535/cmhrj.v5i1.437

Download Citation

References

  • Cauda equina syndrome [Internet]. AANS. American Association of Neurological Surgeons; 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 22]. Available from: https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/cauda-equina-syndrome/
  • Gardner A, Gardner E, Morley T. Cauda equina syndrome: a review of the current clinical and medico-legal position. Eur Spine J. 2011 May;20(5):690-7.
  • Cauda Equina syndrome [Internet]. Spines Dorset. [cited 2025 Jan 22]. Available from: https://spinesdorset.com/conditions/canda-equeria-syndrome
  • Cauda equina syndrome [Internet]. Bmj.com. [cited 2025 Jan 22]. Available from: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000164
  • Cauda equina syndrome risk factors [Internet]. Cauda Equina Solicitors. 2017 [cited 2025 Jan 22]. Available from: https://www.caudaequinasolicitors.co.uk/medical-negligence-claims/cauda-equina-syndrome-risk-factors/
  • Shields LBE, Iyer VG, Zhang YP, Shields CB. Acute cauda equina syndrome following orthopedic procedures as a result of epidural anesthesia. Surg Neurol Int. 2018 Apr 10;9:81.
  • Jain M, Das SS, Behera S, Tirpude A. Non-compressive postoperative cauda equina syndrome following decompression and transforaminal interbody fusion surgery. BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Nov 28;11(1):e227219.
  • Deburge A, Bitan F, Lassale B, Vaquin G. Syndrome de la queue de cheval par migration d'un greffon graisseux après laminoarthrectomie [Cauda equina syndrome caused by migration of a fat graft after laminoarthrectomy]. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 1988;74(7):677-8.
  • Maki Y, Takayama M, Hayashi H, Yokoyama Y, Agawa Y. Cauda Equina Syndrome Due To Dural Sac Shift with Engorgement of the Epidural Venous Plexus: Rare Complication After Lumbar Microdiscectomy. World Neurosurg. 2017 Aug;104:1048.e15-1048.e18.
  • Kebaish KM, Awad JN. Spinal epidural hematoma causing acute cauda equina syndrome. Neurosurg Focus. 2004 Jun 15;16(6):e1.
  • Takayama M, Maki Y, Kawasaki T. Cauda equina syndrome after L5-S1 posterior decompression surgery showing a "convexity sign" caused by engorgement of the ventral epidural venous plexus: A case series. Surg Neurol Int. 2022 Mar 4;13:82.
  • Kakuta Y, Iizuka Y, Mieda T, Sonoda H, Ishiwata S, Honda A, et al. Transdural cauda equina herniation after uneventful lumbar surgery: A case report and review of the literature. Interdiscip Neurosurg 2021 Jun; 24:101090.
  • Badra, Mohamed & Najjar, Elie. (2019). Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome after Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy. Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Technique. Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Technique 2018 december; 3(2): 66-69.
  • Aslantaş, Hüseyin, Kutlay, Sehim, Gunes, Secilay, Genç, Aysun, Ünal, Sena, Peker, Elif , Özaydın Aksun, Zerin. . Elsberg Syndrome: One of the Causes of Cauda Equina Synd-rome - A Case Series and Review of the Literature. Journal of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. 2023; 76: 373-377
  • Ashour, A., Mousa, A., Elshamy, W., Elsayed, A. Minimally Invasive Microscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Treatment of Cauda Equina Syndrome, Is It Effective?. Pan Arab Journal of Neurosurgery, 2023; 18(2): 103-112.
  • Fokmare, Pranali, Joshi, Medhavi, Phansopkar, Pratik. Cauda Equina syndrome rehabilitation strategies post decompression- Discectomy – A case report. Medical Science. 2022; 26: 1-7.
  • Kuris EO, McDonald CL, Palumbo MA, Daniels AH. Evaluation and Management of Cauda Equina Syndrome. Am J Med. 2021 Dec;134(12):1483-1489.
  • Hur JW, Park D-H, Lee J-B, Cho T-H, Park J-Y. Guidelines for cauda equina syndrome management. J Neurointensive Care. 2019;2(1):14–6.
  • Dubuc É, Décary S, Grenier J-M, Gervais-Pépin K, Blanchette M-A. Conservative management of cauda equina syndrome: A case report. JOSPT Cases. 2022;2(4):189–95.
  • John A, Simjian T, Lamba N, Yuxin Y, Carosella C, Song J, Trinh S, Lak AM, Mammi M, Zaidi H, Mekary RA. A comparison of the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery in treating cauda equina syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Neurosci. 2023 Nov;117:98-103.
  • Yankang L, Leiming Z, Lewandrowski KU, Xiangyu T, Zexing Z, Jianbiao X, Lin Z, Heng Y, Xifeng Z. Full Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy Versus Laminectomy for Cauda Equina Syndrome. Int J Spine Surg. 2021 Feb;15(1):105-112.
  • Hogan WB, Kuris EO, Durand WM, Eltorai AEM, Daniels AH. Timing of Surgical Decompression for Cauda Equina Syndrome. World Neurosurg. 2019 Dec;132:e732-e738.
  • Chau AM, Xu LL, Pelzer NR, Gragnaniello C. Timing of surgical intervention in cauda equina syndrome: a systematic critical review. World Neurosurg. 2014 Mar-Apr;81(3-4):640-50.
  • Thakur JD, Storey C, Kalakoti P, Ahmed O, Dossani RH, Menger RP, Sharma K, Sun H, Nanda A. Early intervention in cauda equina syndrome associated with better outcomes: a myth or reality? Insights from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2005-2011). Spine J. 2017 Oct;17(10):1435-1448
  • Shah R., Thapa B., Rana M. Evaluation of Outcome of Timing of Surgical Intervention on Cauda Equina Syndrome. Medical Journal of Shree Birendra Hospital. 2021 Feb; 20:19-23.
  • Heyes G, Jones M, Verzin E, McLorinan G, Darwish N, Eames N. Influence of timing of surgery on Cauda equina syndrome: Outcomes at a national spinal centre. J Orthop. 2018 Feb 28;15(1):210-215.
  • Qureshi A, Sell P. Cauda equina syndrome treated by surgical decompression: the influence of timing on surgical outcome. Eur Spine J. 2007 Dec;16(12):2143-51.
  • Hazelwood JE, Hoeritzauer I, Pronin S, Demetriades AK. An assessment of patient-reported long-term outcomes following surgery for cauda equina syndrome. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2019 Sep;161(9):1887-1894.
  • Srikandarajah N, Wilby M, Clark S, Noble A, Williamson P, Marson T. Outcomes Reported After Surgery for Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Systematic Literature Review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Sep 1;43(17):E1005-E1013.
  • Lee K.,Lim Y.,Kim S. Prognostic Factors of Clinical Outcome of Postoperative Cauda Equina Syndrome. Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery. 2014 Mar;21(1):30-35
  • Barker TP, Steele N, Swamy G, Cook A, Rai A, Crawford R, Lutchman L. Long-term core outcomes in cauda equina syndrome. Bone Joint J. 2021 Sep;103-B(9):1464-1471.
  • Tamburrelli FC, Genitiempo M, Bochicchio M, Donisi L, Ratto C. Cauda equina syndrome: evaluation of the clinical outcome. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2014;18(7):1098-105.
  • Kennedy JG, Soffe KE, McGrath A, Stephens MM, Walsh MG, McManus F. Predictors of outcome in cauda equina syndrome. Eur Spine J. 1999;8(4):317-22.
  • Hussain SA, Gullan RW, Chitnavis BP. Cauda equina syndrome: outcome and implications for management. Br J Neurosurg. 2003 Apr;17(2):164-7.
  • Kumar V, Baburaj V, Rajnish RK, Dhatt SS. Outcomes of cauda equina syndrome due to lumbar disc herniation after surgical management and the factors affecting it: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies with 852 cases. Eur Spine J. 2022 Feb;31(2):353-363.
  • Dimopoulos V, Fountas KN, Machinis TG, Feltes C, Chung I, Johnston K, Robinson JS, Grigorian A. Postoperative cauda equina syndrome in patients undergoing single-level lumbar microdiscectomy. Report of two cases. Neurosurg Focus. 2005 Aug 15;19(2):E11.
    • Article Viewed: 0 Total Download

    ##plugins.themes.ojsPlusA.frontend.article.downloadstatastics##

    Cover Image

    Information