Abstract
Introduction
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is rare but when the diagnosis is delayed patient morbidity is significant. Recently, NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries have updated their red flags on CES to be more explicit enabling earlier referral and diagnosis. A joint project between Orthopaedics and Radiology departments aimed to assess the current pathway of Cauda Equina Investigation at a District General Hospital.
Method
Data was collected from the local Radiology database for requests between July 2017 and August 2018. This included both direct requests to assess for CES and implied. Raw data revealed a potential of 600 patients, of which we have analysed 332 patients met the eligibility criteria.
Results
Only 58 patients had a documented complete bladder function assessment, of those 33% had incomplete or partial bladder emptying. Time to MRI scan ranged from 50mins – 23 hours & 52 mins. 47% had negative scans with CES or Cord compromise on MRI scan was demonstrated on 9%. 23 patients were transferred urgently to the receiving tertiary centre.
Conclusions
We found that nearly 90% of patients were being incompletely assessed and time to scan ranged significantly. We are producing a trust wide suspected CES pathway to improve patient assessment.
