Cauda equina syndrome following sacral fractures: a report of three cases.

Abstract

We report 3 patients with cauda equina syndrome (CES) secondary to a sacral fracture. The difficulty in early diagnosis of CES and the lack of evidence and guidance on treatment are highlighted. When there is a sacral fracture, CES should be suspected. Thorough clinical examination including digital rectal examinations and bladder function quantification is advised. The threshold for performing computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis should be low. Patients should be treated by a multi-disciplinary team with both orthopaedic and neurosurgical input. Further studies are needed to identify the timing and to which patients surgical decompression should be performed.