Abstract
Objectives
To assess health care professional's knowledge with regards to the urinary symptoms of CES and when treatment should be offered.
Background
Recent articles in the medical press highlight the potential dangers of Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES). CES has the highest rates of litigation due to its long-term neurological impairment.
Method
A 4-part questionnaire was given to 60 professionals. The participant was asked to rank 15 urinary symptoms, 7 of these symptoms were not related to CES, also the ideal time to surgical intervention for Complete CES and Incomplete CES.
Results
A total of 44 questionnaires were analysed. CES symptoms were ranked significantly higher than then non-CES symptoms. The physiotherapists rated the CES symptoms significantly higher than the doctors (P = 0.05) and on average rated the non-CES symptoms significantly lower than doctors (P < 0.05).
87.8% thought that complete CES should be treated < 24 hours and 9.76% thought that complete CES should be treated from 24-48 hours. 46.34% thought that CESI should be treated < 24 hours and 43.9% thought that CESI should be treated from 24-48 hours.
Conclusion
These results demonstrate that physiotherapists are better than Doctors at identifying the urinary symptoms in CES. The majority of health care professional who took part in this study stated that they would offer surgical intervention for both Complete and Incomplete CES within 24 hours. The gap in knowledge highlights the need for education to all medical professionals in the symptoms of CES and also the timing of treatment.
Conflicts of interest - None
Sources of funding - None
It is confirmed that this abstract has not been published in whole or substantial part nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.
