Urgent Bite 271 - Cauda Equina Syndrome and the DRE

Do you perform a DRE before referring a suspected case of cauda equina syndrome?   Check out the Stat Pearls page Rider LS, Marra EM. Cauda Equina and Conus Medullaris Syndromes. [Updated 2023 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-   Check out the papers mentioned Sherlock KE, Turner W, Elsayed S, Bagouri M, Baha L, Boszczyk BM, McNally D. The Evaluation of Digital Rectal Examination for Assessment of Anal Tone in Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Aug 1;40(15):1213-8. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000902. PMID: 25811266. Link   Tabrah J, Wilson N, Phillips D, Böhning D. Can digital rectal examination be used to detect cauda equina compression in people presenting with acute cauda equina syndrome? A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2022 Apr;58:102523. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102523. Epub 2022 Feb 9. PMID: 35180641. Link    Curtis Lopez C, Berg AJ, Clayton B, Siddique I, Carrasco R, Horner D, Angus M. Evaluation of the role of anal tone and perianal sensation examination in the assessment of suspected cauda equina syndrome. Br J Neurosurg. 2024 Aug;38(4):923-927. doi: 10.1080/02688697.2021.2005775. Epub 2021 Nov 19. PMID: 34796788. Link   www.rnzcuc.org.nz [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/rnzcuc https://twitter.com/rnzcuc   Music licensed from www.premiumbeat.com Full Grip by Score Squad   This podcast is intended to assist in ongoing medical education and peer discussion for qualified health professionals.  Please ensure you work within your scope of practice at all times.  For personal medical advice always consult your usual doctor