Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

What are the common symptoms associated with cauda equina syndrome?

1. Bilateral extremity sensory loss

2. Loss of appetite

3. Severe headaches

4. Loss of balance

The correct answer is: Bilateral extremity sensory loss

Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency resulting from compression of the cauda equina, a bundle of nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord. One of the hallmark symptoms associated with this condition is bilateral extremity sensory loss. This occurs because the nerves that control sensation and movement in the lower extremities are affected by the compression. Patients may experience numbness, tingling, or a complete loss of sensation in the legs, which can also extend to the buttocks and perineal region, often referred to as a "saddle anesthesia." The other options, while they may be associated with various medical conditions, are not characteristic features of cauda equina syndrome. For example, loss of appetite and severe headaches may indicate other issues, such as systemic illness or neurological problems, but they do not directly correlate with the nerve compression effects seen in cauda equina syndrome. Similarly, loss of balance is more commonly associated with inner ear disorders or other neurological conditions, rather than the specific sensory and motor deficits that define cauda equina syndrome.