What is normal level of conus medullaris?
The conus medullaris most commonly terminates at the L1/2 intervertebral disc level in children and adults 1-3.
What is the difference between cauda equina and Conus Medullaris syndrome?
The symptoms and signs of cauda equina syndrome tend to be mostly lower motor neuron (LMN) in nature, while those of conus medullaris syndrome are a combination of LMN and upper motor neuron (UMN) effects (see Table 1, below).
What symptoms results in conus medullaris injury?
Conus medullaris syndrome is a type of incomplete spinal cord injury that is less likely to cause paralysis than many other types of spinal cord injuries. Instead, the most common symptoms include: Severe back pain. Strange or jarring sensations in the back, such as buzzing, tingling, or numbness.
What does low conus mean?
Low-lying conus medullaris: It refers to a low position of a normal-appearing conus medullaris with respect to the vertebral level. It is usually located between the T12–L1 and L1–L2 disk level; however, in 6.4% of population it can be found between the upper and middle third of L2.
What is low-lying conus medullaris?
A low-lying spinal cord (LLC) is defined as the conus medullaris ending below the L2 vertebrae. (1,2) An LLC is usually abnormally fixed to a caudal structure such as a lipoma or scar, which limits caudal-cranial movement. (3) This may be attributed to tethering of the spinal cord.
What level is cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) results from compression and disruption of the function of these nerves and can be inclusive of the conus medullaris or distal to it, and most often occurs when damage occurs to the L3-L5 nerve roots.
At what level does cauda equina start?
The cauda equina contains nerve roots from L2 in the lumbar spine to Co1 in the coccygeal (tail bone end) spine.
Is Conus Medullaris syndrome an emergency?
Both syndromes are neurosurgical emergencies as they can present with back pain radiating to the legs, motor and sensory dysfunction of the lower extremities, bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction and saddle anesthesia.
At what level does spinal cord end?
The spinal cord tapers and ends at the level between the first and second lumbar vertebrae in an average adult. The most distal bulbous part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris, and its tapering end continues as the filum terminale.
What level should the Conus end?
A conus level of termination at L2-L3 or above is normal at any age. A conus level of termination at L3-L4 or below is abnormal (with possible exceptions occurring in premature infants and full-term newborns).
Is conus medullaris syndrome an emergency?
What is conus medullaris syndrome (CMS)?
Conus medullaris syndrome (CMS) results when there is compressive damage to the spinal cord from T12-L2.[1]
What is the difference between cauda equina and conus medullaris syndrome?
Cauda equina and conus medullaris syndromes have overlap in anatomy and clinical presentation. The cauda equina is a group of nerves and nerve roots stemming from the distal end of the spinal cord, typically levels L1-L5 and contains axons of nerves that give both motor and sensory innervation to the legs, bladder, anus, and perineum.
What happens to the conus medullaris?
The conus medullaris lies in close proximity to nerve roots and injury to this region results in combined upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron features. Conus medullaris injury can result most commonly from: lumbar canal stenosis due to herniation of intervertebral disc(s)
How do you treat conus medullaris syndrome?
Treatment for Conus Medullaris Syndrome. Treatment varies, and depends on the cause of the injury as well as its extent. Spinal decompression surgery often helps, and if a physical impediment to function remains—such as a tumor or the remnants of a bullet—your doctor may remove these to restore spinal function.