• Lesion at L2 affecting the conus medullaris (tapered end of spinal cord)
  • Clinical picture
    • Often sudden, bilateral onset of symptoms with lower back pain
    • Normal knee jerks, but absent ankle jerks
    • Flaccid paralysis bladder and rectum
    • Saddle anaesthesia
    • Leg weakness may be mild, or predominantly distal
  • Causes
    • Epidural abscess
    • Tumour at L2
    • Intervertebral disc herniation at L1/2
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