A systematic review of the presentation of scan-negative suspected cauda equina syndrome

A significant proportion of patients presenting with suspected cauda equina syndrome (CES) do not have associated radiological evidence to support the diagnosis, often termed 'scan-negative'. Due to the limited number of studies regarding the matter, there is no clear understanding for this presentation. As a result, no treatment protocol exists for the scan-negative group. The purpose of this review is to assess the potential contributing factors leading to the presentation of suspected CES with normal imaging.

A systematic review was conducted on PubMed and Cochrane databases. Bibliographies of key articles and Google Scholar were searched for additional results. The search strategy provided 204 results. Of those, 8 had no identifiable causation for suspected CES and were included for systematic review.

6 of 8 studies investigated for a difference in clinical presentation between cohorts that may indicate a normal scan. Studies were either inconclusive and contradictory. Two studies suggest a functional somatic disorder as reasoning for negative MRI, with positive provisional findings.

A psychogenic hypothesis is plausible and warrants further investigation. The need for additional studies is essential to scheming a potential treatment protocol for the scan-negative population, which currently does not exist.