A service evaluation of the management of patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome from an outpatient physiotherapy service in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND

The expanding scope of physiotherapists worldwide has come with an increased responsibility to identify serious pathologies such as fracture, infection, tumour and cauda equina syndrome (CES). Guidelines recommend a low threshold for emergency MRI to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of CES, but a balanced approach is required to prevent excessive strain on emergency resources.

AIM: To evaluate the management of patients presenting to an outpatient physiotherapy service with suspected cauda equina syndrome.

DESIGN

Service evaluation with an embedded case series of patients with radiological CES.

METHOD: The records of patients who were identified by their outpatient physiotherapists as having suspected CES (n-231) over a 27-month period were included. Data was extracted from patients' medical records by a team of Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs). The lead author further analysed the records of patients with clinical and radiological CES, in order to present the embedded case series.

RESULTS

In 79% of cases, it was decided that emergency referral was not required. The remaining 21% of patients were referred to the emergency department and 49% of these had an emergency MRI. In the case series of seven patients with cauda equina compression on MRI, four patients had a disc bulge and underwent emergency surgery. One patient had non-emergency surgery for a disc bulge combined with anterolisthesis and scoliosis. Two patients had stenosis and decided against surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this service evaluation suggest support for the use of safety netting and an effective communication chain to facilitate effective management of patients with suspected CES.