The incidence and outcomes of traumatic cauda equina syndrome in Victoria, Australia

Background

Little is known about the incidence, management or long-term outcomes of traumatic cauda equina syndrome (CES), with few cohort studies. The purpose of this study is to establish the incidence and long-term outcomes of traumatic CES in Victoria, Australia. This study is a registry-based cohort study, and people with a diagnosis of traumatic CES from 2010 to 2022 were recruited from the Victorian State Trauma Registry.

Methods

An incidence rate was calculated by dividing the amount of new cases each year by the estimated population in Victoria. Demographic, injury and hospital admission details were extracted from the Victorian State Trauma Registry. Routine follow-up occurred at 6, 12- and 24- months postinjury, with a focus on health-related quality of life outcomes using the EuroQol EQ-5D scale, level of disability using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) score and return to work outcomes. An additional telephone interview undertaken at a median 6.8 years postinjury collected the EQ-5D, bowel and bladder outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Mixed effects regression modelling was used to model change in EQ-5D outcomes over time.

Results

Of the 94 participants, most were men (67%), the median age at injury was 41 years, and the most common cause was road trauma (35%). The incidence rate ranged from 0.56 to 2.51 per million per year. Most people reported problems on the EQ-5D at all 4 follow-up time points, with no clear improvement over time. 47% of people had not returned to work 24 months after injury. Of the survivors who completed the additional follow-up, 41% of people experienced constipation and 51% reported almost losing bladder continence at least once per week.

Conclusions

While the incidence rate of traumatic CES was low, most people experienced long-term sequelae, highlighting the impact of this injury on peoples’ lives. Multijurisdictional studies may be needed to comprehensively measure the impacts of this injury.