Cauda Equina Syndrome (cont.)

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include low back pain, numbness and/or tingling in the buttocks and lower extremities (sciatica), weakness in the legs, and incontinence of bladder and/or bowels. The numbness of cauda equina syndrome typically is in the distribution of where the body would touch a saddle when sitting upon a horse, and is referred to as "saddle anesthesia."

Partial cauda equina syndrome is the terminology that applies when there is incomplete compression of the nerves of the lower spinal cord. This can elicit various degrees and combinations of the symptoms listed above. With complete cauda equina syndrome, the array of symptoms listed above is commonplace.

Cauda equina syndrome is clinically diagnosed based on the characteristic symptoms described above. Often, the physical examination can reveal hyperactive reflexes of the lower extremities. Because the syndrome is a medical emergency, neurosurgery or spinal surgery consultants should be notified immediately. Cauda equina syndrome can be confirmed with neurologic and radiology testing but such testing should not be delayed.

Specialized neurologic nerve testing of the lower extremities, such as nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and electromyography (EMG) tests can indicate nerve irritation effects in the low back. Radiologic testing such as CT (computerized axial tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning can document the compressed spinal cord tissue.

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/cauda_equina_syndrome/article.htm