What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Cauda Equina Syndrome (“CES“) arises through damage or compression to the cauda equina, a bundle of nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord. The compression of the nerves can impair function in various parts of your lower body and can even result in permanent paralysis. The onset of CES symptoms necessitates urgent medical attention for proper diagnosis and immediate treatment.
When CES is correctly diagnosed, it can be treated effectively; however, failure to diagnose CES is a serious medical mistake that can cause physical, emotional, and financial suffering for the rest of the victim’s life. Because this condition can cause severe disability, the families of the victims are affected as well.
Though emergency rooms can be chaotic and emergency room doctors, nurses, and other staff members are often busy, substandard care is simply not acceptable. CES must be considered as a possible cause anytime a patient presents to the emergency department with neurological symptoms consistent with possible spinal cord compression. If an MRI demonstrates spinal cord compression, surgery is almost always indicated on an urgent basis in order to prevent or limit spinal cord damage, including bowel and bladder function. If the diagnosis is missed by emergency room staff or as a result of emergency room malpractice, necessary surgery may be tragically delayed, resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down.
MRI Scans and Urgent Investigative Procedures for Cauda Equina Syndrome Misdiagnosis
To avoid cauda equina syndrome misdiagnosis, it is crucial for medical professionals to promptly order diagnostic tests, particularly MRI scans, when symptoms indicate spinal compression. MRI scans are essential in confirming the presence of Cauda Equina Syndrome, as they provide a clear image of nerve compression. Delays in performing this test can result in irreversible damage, including permanent paralysis, loss of genital sensation, and severe pain.
Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome
Patients suffering from Cauda Equina Syndrome may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Loss or impairment of bowel or bladder function or control
- Numbness or weakness in pelvic area, genitals, buttocks, legs or feet
- Severe pain in back, buttocks, pelvic area, buttocks, legs or feet
If someone you know complains of these symptoms, you must get him/her to an emergency room immediately. You must inquire as to whether CES may be a possible diagnosis if your doctor never mentions it. If your doctor does not order the necessary tests to detect CES, then you may have a medical malpractice case.
It is crucial that medical staff ask four vital questions of any patient complaining of low back pain to avoid cauda equina misdiagnosis.
- Has your bladder been working normally? (Can you tell when it’s full? Do you feel you have to go all the time? Have you had any loss of control or difficulty urinating?)
- Have you had numbness or any strange sensation in your buttocks or groin area?
- Have you noticed any loss of feeling in your genitals? Are you unable to get an erection or ejaculate?
- Have you experienced any problems with your bowels lately?
Common Misdiagnoses Leading to Cauda Equina Syndrome Misdiagnosis
Cauda equina syndrome misdiagnosis can occur due to the similarity of its symptoms to other conditions, such as sciatica, fibromyalgia, and urinary tract infections. Patients presenting with lower back pain, sciatica, or unexplained urinary issues must be carefully evaluated for CES to avoid misdiagnosis. Sensory dysfunction, such as numbness or tingling in the pelvic area, should raise immediate red flags.
What Causes Cauda Equina Syndrome?
CES is caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal, and there are many ways this can occur including:
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
- Trauma such as fracture of the lumbar spine (lower back)
- Gunshot or stab wound
- Complication of spinal manipulation (rare cause)
- Tumors
- Inflammatory conditions
- Infectious conditions
Because CES can be diagnosed and treated effectively if caught early enough, medical malpractice cases are often filed against the physicians who failed to detect and treat CES in a timely manner. CES is a medical emergency because if someone is already complaining about symptoms, the process leading to nerve injury is already beginning to take place and must be stopped as quickly as reasonably possible.
Long-Term Effects of Cauda Equina Syndrome Misdiagnosis
When cauda equina syndrome misdiagnosis occurs, the consequences can be life-altering. Untreated CES can lead to permanent severe pain, paralysis, sexual dysfunction, loss of genital sensation, and the need for long-term management of bladder or bowel issues, such as permanent catheter use or indefinite confinement to adult diapers. These outcomes underscore the importance of early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention to prevent permanent disabilities.
What to Do if You Suspect Medical Malpractice or Negligence
If you have suffered due to medical negligence or because an emergency room physician did not diagnose a serious medical problem such as cauda equina syndrome before irreparable damage occurred, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim. New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers Weiss & Paarz exclusively focus on medical malpractice cases. Misdiagnosis of serious conditions such as Cauda Equina Syndrome, heart attack, meningitis, and cancer are some of the most devastating cases we see each year.
New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys Weiss & Paarz have dedicated their careers to helping families who have suffered unspeakable tragedies, such as Cauda Equina misdiagnosis – pain that no one can understand unless it has been experienced firsthand. Our goal is to provide the highest quality legal representation to victims of medical malpractice.
If you live in New Jersey or a surrounding area and feel you may have a valid medical malpractice claim due to failure to diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome, contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Weiss & Paarz P.C. today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation.
What can be mistaken for cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda Equina Syndrome is often mistaken for conditions like urinary tract infections, sciatica, or fibromyalgia due to overlapping symptoms such as changes in urinary habits, back pain, and numbness.
Does an MRI always show cauda equina syndrome?
No, an MRI does not always show Cauda Equina Syndrome as the condition is relatively rare. While MRI is the preferred diagnostic tool, some patients with clinical symptoms mimicking MRI may not show CES on their scans, and may be diagnosed with a different issue, or a disc herniation on a different part of the spine.
How do you rule out cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda Equina Syndrome is ruled out using an urgent MRI, which is performed to detect nerve compression. A thorough physical exam and evaluation of symptoms also play a crucial role.
Is it possible to have cauda equina and not know?
It is possible, though rare, to have Cauda Equina Syndrome without realizing it initially. Symptoms of underlying spinal conditions often present before CES develops, making early detection critical.