What is the difference between cauda equina and conus medullaris syndrome?

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 is the ICD 10 code for cauda equina syndrome?

G83. 4 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What is a conus medullaris?

The conus medullaris is the terminal end of the spinal cord, which typically occurs at the L1 vertebral level in the average adult. [1] Conus medullaris syndrome (CMS) results when there is compressive damage to the spinal cord from T12-L2.

What is the Conus?

The conus medullaris (Latin for “medullary cone”) or conus terminalis is the tapered, lower end of the spinal cord. It occurs near lumbar vertebral levels 1 (L1) and 2 (L2), occasionally lower. After the spinal cord tapers out, the spinal nerves continue to branch out diagonally, forming the cauda equina.

What nerves are in the cauda equina?

The cauda equina (from Latin horse’s tail) is a bundle of spinal nerves and spinal nerve rootlets, consisting of the second through fifth lumbar nerve pairs, the first through fifth sacral nerve pairs, and the coccygeal nerve, all of which arise from the lumbar enlargement and the conus medullaris of the spinal cord.

What is cauda equina compression?

Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the nerve roots in the lumbar spine are compressed, cutting off sensation and movement. Nerve roots that control the function of the bladder and bowel are especially vulnerable to damage.

What is the treatment for conus medullaris syndrome?

Treatment for Conus Medullaris Syndrome 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. Radiation may help if your symptoms are due to cancer.

What causes conus medullaris syndrome?

Conus medullaris syndrome is caused by an injury or insult to the conus medullaris and lumbar nerve roots. It is a clinical subset of spinal cord injury syndromes. Injuries at the level of T12 to L2 vertebrae are most likely to result in conus medullaris syndrome.