A 46-year-old woman attends with low back pain and sciatica. Over the last 24 hours she has developed urinary retention, saddle anaesthesia and bilate...

Question

A 46-year-old woman attends with low back pain and sciatica. Over the last 24 hours she has developed urinary retention, saddle anaesthesia and bilateral leg weakness. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Arrange urgent MRI spine and emergency neurosurgical referral

Answer

Prescribe NSAIDs and arrange physiotherapy

Answer

Order lumbar spine X-ray

Answer

Reassure and review in 2 weeks

Answer

Give oral Prednisolone and Gabapentin

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Cauda equina syndrome

A 46-year-old woman attends with low back pain and sciatica. Over the last 24 hours she has developed urinary retention, saddle anaesthesia and bilateral leg weakness. What is the most appropriate next step?