Frequency of Cauda Equina Syndrome in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation

Abstract

Introduction: Herniation of the lumbar inter-vertebral disc can cause severe compression of the cauda equina. A precise understanding of this syndrome is important because any delay in diagnosis and treatment may result in poor outcome. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of Cauda Equina Syndrome in patients with lumber disc herniation. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery, Postgraduate Medical Institute Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 127 patients of cauda equina syndrome were taken through convenience (non-probability) sampling, in a period of six months (from November, 2010 to May 2011). Patients of both genders presented with unilateral or bilateral foot drop, ankle areflexia, saddle anesthesia and urinary incontinence due to lumber disc herniation were included while patients with spinal tumors, lumbar Spinal stenosis and recurrent disc herniation were excluded. The data was analyzed using the statistical program SPSS version 10. Results: Out of 127 patients majority of the patients were male i.e. 65.35% (n = 83) 44.65% were female. Most of the patients were between 31 – 40 years of age followed by 20 – 30 years, 29.92% (n = 38). Frequency of cauda equina syndrome in patients with lumbar disc herniation was found in 11.02% (n = 14). Conclusion: The relationship between Cauda Equina Syndrome was found with lumbar disc herniation and the frequency was found in accordance to other studies. Cauda Equina Syndrome is most common in the patients between 31 – 40 years of age, followed by 20 – 30 years of age. Gender distribution of the patients showed that majority of the patients were male. Frequency of cauda equina syndrome in patients with lumbar disc herniation was 11%.