Against the odds: extraordinary recovery from complete cauda equina syndrome following L3 fracture. Time still matters.

INTRODUCTION

Cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar fracture is a relative rare event. Although it is usually considered as an emergency, there is still controversy in the literature regarding the optimal timeframe of surgical intervention in complete spinal cord and cauda equina injuries.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 24-year-old victim of a road traffic accident admitted with an L3 fracture causing complete cauda equina syndrome, who underwent early surgery within 12 h and made an extraordinary recovery (from AIS A to E).

DISCUSSION: Although the timing of surgery in complete traumatic spinal cord injury and cauda equina syndrome remains controversial, this case highlights the importance of early surgical intervention even in complete injuries.