---
title: Misdiagnosis of Acute Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina Compression
description: This article introduces strategies for avoiding treatment delays caused by misdiagnosis of acute spinal cord and cauda equina compression.
image: https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-24%20at%208.44.53%20AM.png
---

- [Sign In](https://secure.proassurance.com)
- g

Search Site

[Contact Us](https://www.proassurance.com/contact-us/): **844-466-7225**

[![PRA-MMI-Logo®-RGB](https://www.norcal-group.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PRA-MMI-Logo%C2%AE-RGB.png?width=215&height=62&name=PRA-MMI-Logo%C2%AE-RGB.png)](https://www.norcal-group.com)

 

- [About](https://norcal-group.com/about) 
    - [About Us](https://norcal-group.com/about)
- [Coverages](https://norcal-group.com/state)
- [Claims](https://www.proassurance.com/report-a-claim/)
- [Resources](https://www.norcal-group.com/resources) 
    - [HIPAA Resources](https://proassurance.com/hipaa)
    - [Website Accessibility](https://proassurance.com/accessibility)
- [Pay](https://www.norcal-group.com/pay)

# [***CLAIMS Rx*** DIRECTORY](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx)

## RISK MANAGEMENT PUBLICATION

# Misdiagnosis of Acute Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina Compression

March 2019

Delayed treatment of acute spinal cord and cauda equina compression can result in significant, life-long patient disability. This article introduces strategies for avoiding treatment delays caused by misdiagnosis of acute spinal cord and cauda equina compression and reducing the liability risks associated with evaluating patients who present with back pain.

| **SPECIAL FEATURE** Diagnosis Associated with "Red Flag" Symptoms in Back Pain Patients **CASE ONE ** Ruling Out Cauda Equina Syndrome in the ED **SPECIAL FEATURE** How Documentation of Bladder Symptoms Can Affect the Defense of a CES Lawsuit | **CASE TWO & THREE** Diagnosis Delay Due to Poor Hand-off Communication **CASE FOUR** Obtaining an Open MRI in an Emergency |
| --- | --- |

 

**Related Topics:** [Emergency Medicine](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/emergency-medicine), [Critical Results](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/critical-results), [Hand-off](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/hand-off), [Back Pain](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/back-pain), [Obesity](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/obesity)

acute spinal cord compression,cauda equina compression, cauda equina syndrome,back pain,chronic back pain,red flag symptoms,spinal pathology,CES,acute back pain,low back pain.emergency department,hand off, hand off protocols,hand off tools,hand off documentation

![March 2019](https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-24%20at%208.44.53%20AM.png "March 2019")

**ACCESS** FULL ARTICLE

**NORCAL Group Insureds**  
Access this article for CME credit.

- [ProAssurance SSP](https://secure.proassurance.com/) (Policyholder Portal)

Typically each *Claims Rx* provides an opportunity for NORCAL Group insureds to earn *AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™* at no additional cost.

***Not a Policyholder?***

A [featured complimentary *Claims Rx*](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx) is always available on the Claims Rx Directory main page, and all *Claims Rx* Directory articles with expired CME Credit are available for download. 

* NORCAL Group, now part of ProAssurance, includes NORCAL Insurance Company and its affiliated companies.

[![AM Best](https://www.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Norcal_Mutual_Images/graphic_am-best.png)](https://www.norcal-group.com/ambest)

- [About](https://norcal-group.com/about) 
    - [About Us](https://norcal-group.com/about)
- [Coverages](https://norcal-group.com/state)
- [Claims](https://www.proassurance.com/report-a-claim/)
- [Resources](https://www.norcal-group.com/resources) 
    - [HIPAA Resources](https://proassurance.com/hipaa)
    - [Website Accessibility](https://proassurance.com/accessibility)
- [Pay](https://www.norcal-group.com/pay)

© 2001 - 2024 ProAssurance  
All rights reserved

- [844-466-7225 ](tel:18444667225)
- [Privacy Policy](https://proassurancegroup.com/privacy-policy)
- [Terms of Use](https://www.norcal-group.com/terms)
- [Website Accessibility](https://www.norcal-group.com/accessibility)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "InsuranceAgency",
  "contactPoint" : {
    "@type" : "ContactPoint",
    "contactType" : "customer service",
    "telephone" : "1.844.466.7225"
  },
  "description" : "The NORCAL Group of companies provide medical professional liability insurance to physicians, health care extenders, medical groups, hospitals, community clinics and allied health care facilities throughout the country.",
  "foundingDate" : "1975-01-01",
  "foundingLocation" : "California",
  "legalName" : "NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company",
  "logo" : "https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Website/Logos/NORCAL-Group-Logo-X-18.png",
  "name" : "NORCAL Group",
  "potentialAction" : {
    "@type" : "SearchAction",
    "query-input" : "required name=search_term_string",
    "target" : "http://www.norcal-group.com/search?search={search_term_string}"
  },
  "subOrganization" : [ "Medicus", "FD Insurance", "NORCAL Specialty Insurance Company", "PMSLIC" ],
  "url" : "http://www.norcal-group.com"
}
```