INTRODUCTION: Cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar fracture is a relative rare event. Although it is usually considered as an emergency, there is still controversy in the literature regarding the optimal timeframe of surgical intervention in complete spinal cord and cauda equina injuries. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 24-year-old victim of a road traffic accident admitted with an L3 fracture causing complete cauda equina syndrome, who underwent early surgery within 12 h and made an extraordinary recovery (from AIS A to E). DISCUSSION: Although the timing of surgery in complete traumatic spinal cord injury and cauda equina syndrome remains controversial, this case highlights the importance of early surgical intervention even in complete injuries.
INTRODUCTION:Cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar fracture is a relative rare event. Although it is usually considered as an emergency, there is still controversy in the literature regarding the optimal timeframe of surgical intervention in complete spinal cord and cauda equina injuries. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 24-year-old victim of a road traffic accident admitted with an L3 fracture causing complete cauda equina syndrome, who underwent early surgery within 12 h and made an extraordinary recovery (from AIS A to E). DISCUSSION: Although the timing of surgery in complete traumatic spinal cord injury and cauda equina syndrome remains controversial, this case highlights the importance of early surgical intervention even in complete injuries.
Authors: S D Gertzbein; C M Court-Brown; P Marks; C Martin; M Fazl; M Schwartz; R R Jacobs Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 1988-06 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Alex Gitelman; Shuriz Hishmeh; Brian N Morelli; Samuel A Joseph; Andrew Casden; Paul Kuflik; Michael Neuwirth; Mark Stephen Journal: Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ) Date: 2008-11