Cauda Equina Flashcards
where is the cauda equina?
(L6)
L7
sacrum
what are the typical clinical signs of cauda equina?
reduced tail function to flaccid tail
urinary and fecal incontinence
mild hind end weakness
lameness
pain
what leads to degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
big range of motion at the L7-S1 vertebral unit
who mainly gets osteochondrosis in degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
german shepherd dogs
boxers
rottweilers
which breeds usually get degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
german shepherd
malinois
retriever
collie
boxer
what is the conservative management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
exercise restriction
NSAID
pain medication
what is a negative for conservative management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
high risk of recurrence of signs
which cases of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis should be referred to surgery?
pain
weakness
lameness
what are the common deficits with sacro caudal luxation fractures?
paralysis and analgesia of tail
urinary incontinence
abnormal perianal reflex
reduced to absent anal sphincter tone
hind end weakness
what are the signs with group 1 sacro caudal luxation fractures?
paralyzed and analgesic tail
normal urinary function
no hind end weakness
what are the common causes of cauda equina?
discospondylitis, abscessation
fractures, luxation
vertebral malformations, spina bifida
nerve sheath tumor, other tumors
degenerative lumbosacral stenosis
disk herniation
what is degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
degenerative changes of intervertebral disk, articular joint, ligament and vertebral damage produce compression of nerve roots
where is osteochondrosis in degenerative lumbosacral stenosis usually?
sacrum
is there a sex predilection for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
male>female
what can be seen on radiographs in degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
collapse of disk space
end plate sclerosis
downwards elongation sacral lamina
ventral spondylosis
step formation L7-S1
OCD formation
vacuum phenomenon
what are the surgical options for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
dorsal laminectomy
dorsal laminectomy, fenestration of dorsal ligament, diskectomy
dorsal laminectomy with stabilization
when is the prognosis guarded for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
working dogs
fecal or urinary incontinence
how much compression is needed to cause clinical signs in degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
moderate to severe
how likely is a cat with group 1 sacral caudal luxation fracture to completely recover?
75%
what is the prognosis of group 2 sacro caudal luxation fracture?
tail function returns in 75%
bladder function back in 50%
what are the signs with group 3 of sacro caudal luxation fracture?
paralyzed/analgesic tail
no spontaneous urination
big bladder
manual expression difficult
reduced sphincter tone and perianal reflex
perianal sensation present
what can be done for sacro caudal luxation fractures?
tail amputation if long term recovery does not occur
manually express bladder
monitor and treat UTI
treat megacolon
