‘Scan-negative’ cauda equina syndrome: Evidence of functional disorder from a prospective case series

Abstract

In the first prospective comparison of ‘scan-negative’ (n = 11) and ‘scan-positive’ (n = 7) patients with cauda equina syndrome (CES) we found that Hoover's sign of functional leg weakness but not routine clinical features differentiated the two groups (p < 0.02). This offers a new direction of study in this area, although magnetic resonance imaging is still required for all patients with possible CES.

Keywords::

• aetiology
• cauda equina syndrome
• functional disorders
• urinary retention

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.