title: Acute cauda equina syndrome caused by a gas-containing prolapsed intervertebral disk.
abstract: Gas production as a part of disk degeneration can occur, but it rarely causes clinical nerve compression syndromes. A rare case of gaseous degeneration in a prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disk causing acute cauda equina syndrome is described. Radiologic features and intraoperative findings are reported. A 78-year-old woman with severe lumbar canal stenosis had acute cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large disk protrusion, and she underwent an urgent operation for this. Surgery confirmed the severe lumbar canal stenosis, but the disk prolapse contained gas that had caused the nerve compression.
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Directorate, The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005740:Gases