Cauda Equina is a condition requiring urgent operative intervention to avoid debilitating long term neurological compromise. The recommended maximium time delay before lack of surgical decompression results in persisting neurological deficit has been suggested to be 24 hrs and more recent studies have even indicated 48 hours as acceptable. We wanted to assess if any persisting neurological deficit occurred in our practice when treated at 12 hours or less. To assess if patients treated within half of the maximum recommended time for surgical decompression following cauda equina i.e 12 hours, are still pre-disposed to persisting neurological compromise.Introduction
Aim