title: Epidemiology of cauda equina and conus medullaris lesions.
abstract: The epidemiology of cauda equina and conus medullaris lesions is not well known, and this study aimed to provide further information on this topic. In the period 1996-2004, patients fulfilling the clinical, electrodiagnostic, and radiological criteria for such lesions were identified. For cauda equina/conus medullaris lesions an annual incidence rate of 3.4/1.5 per million, and period prevalence of 8.9/4.5 per 100,000 population were calculated. The values obtained are probably valid estimates of the incidence and prevalence of these lesions in developed countries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Neurology, University Medical Center, SI-1525 Ljubljana, Slovenia. simon.podnar@kclj.si
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Podnar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000453:epidemiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017524:Slovenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology