MSKS Clinical Lecture 15_Emergent Back Pain

Question 1

What does the TUNA FISH mnumonic stand for?

Answer 1

Question 2

What is Cauda equina syndrome?

Answer 2

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a condition that occurs when the bundle of nerves below the end of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina is damaged. Signs and symptoms include low back pain, pain that radiates down the leg, numbness around the anus, and loss of bowel or bladder control, and saddle anesthesia

This is an emergency that needs imediate surgical innervention because “time is tissue”

Question 3

What could tip you to think spinal stenosis instead of herniated disk (siatica also called radiculopathy)?

Answer 3

bilateral nurological symptoms would be more indicative of stenosis while unilateral symptoms would indicate a radiculopathy

Question 4

What is the reflex, sensory loss, and motor weakness for L4, L5, and S1?

Answer 4