title: Cauda Equina Compression in the Absence of Neurologic Signs.
abstract: The patient was a 45-year-old man with a 4-year history of chronic low back pain, intensifying insidiously over the previous 8 months. On physical examination, generalized, severe low back pain was increased with all motions, with no abnormal neurologic signs. The initial physical therapy diagnosis was nonspecific low back pain; however, when the patient reported worsening symptoms at 2-week follow-up, he was advised to complete his previously scheduled magnetic resonance imaging and physician follow-up before further physical therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass at L5 consistent with benign nerve sheath tumor.
authors.forename: Bethany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buzzell
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sheets
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bagley
mesh_terms: D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: low back pain; lumbar spine; magnetic resonance imaging; radiography