National GIRFT Cauda Equina Syndrome Pathway

A new pathwayhelping clinicians to better diagnose and care for patients suspected of having a rare and serious spinal condition is now available from the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) team.

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is a spinal surgical emergency which can lead to lower limb paralysis and loss of bowel, bladder and sexual function if not assessed and treated urgently. The condition affects 1-3 people per 100,000 population in England and there are around 8,000 suspected cases every year.

GIRFT has worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group of more than 60 health professionals to develop a newinteractive pathwayfor those patients with suspected CES, designed to support clinical teams to diagnose and treat the condition without delay and improve patient outcomes.

The pathway offers best practice along all stages of the patient pathway, from presentation to their GP or in the community, to presentation at hospital and diagnosis, to surgery and on to post-operative care. It is supported bydetailed guidance, outlining when and how to carry out stages of the pathway, including best practice for referrals and imaging, surgical techniques, pain control and other post-operative support.