Introduction
This page provides information for clinicians regarding the identification and treatment of suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).
Practice Guidelines
Severn Spine ODN
Below is a link to the Severn Regional Spinal Network’s practice guidance in relation to CES. These cover the management of CES from the point of initial presentation to diagnosis. (Flowcharts on Pg 18 onward)
Severn Spinal ODN CES Guidelines
BASS & SBNS
Below is a link to the British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS) and The Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS) standards of care for the investigation and management of CES.
We await the development of further UK national guidance and will update this page when this guidance becomes available.
Education Videos
This video, by the Spinal Surgery Team at Musgrove Park Hospital (Taunton), gives an overview and guide to the key questions to ask a patient with suspected CES. (Note this is part of a series of videos in relation to the Musgrove Park CES Pathway)
External Links
Dynamic Health
The following link contains a patient information leaflet, in the form of a credit card, which can be given to patients regarding the symptoms of possible CES.
Position Statement – Red Flag Pathologies (Finucane et al)
The following link contains the Position Statement from Finucane et al regarding an ‘International Framework for Red Flags
for Potential Serious Spinal Pathologies’. Information on CES is on pages 5-9.
HSIB
The Health Service Investigation Branch (HSIB) undertook an independent report into the timely detection and treatment of CES which contained a number safety recommendations, observations and actions for consideration by National Bodies and NHS organisations.