Conus Medullaris Syndrome

End of Spinal Cord Emergency

Compression of the conus medullaris (terminal end of the spinal cord at L1-2). NEUROSURGICAL EMERGENCY. Distinct from cauda equina syndrome: conus affects the cord itself (UMN features) while CES affects nerve roots (LMN features). In practice they often overlap. Causes: central disc herniation at T12-L1/L1-2, tumour, abscess, vertebral fracture.

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