Neoplastic malignant cord compression mimicking low back pain: A case report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) affects 0.04% of low back pain (LBP) patients in primary care.
• Disc prolapse is the most common cause of CES, but other lesions like neoplasms can also cause it.
• Early CES symptoms can mimic non-specific LBP, posing diagnostic challenges for physiotherapists.

Observation:

• A 52-year-old male presented with LBP.
• Clinical assessment revealed red flags indicative of a non-musculoskeletal condition.
• The patient was referred for emergency investigation.

Findings:

• Diagnostic tests confirmed CES in the patient.
• The underlying cause of CES was identified as malignancy.
• This highlights the importance of considering serious pathology in LBP cases.

Implications:

• Differential screening for red flags is essential throughout patient treatment.
• Physiotherapy requires clinical reasoning and careful analysis of symptom progression.
• Prompt referral for medical assessment and imaging is critical when CES is suspected.