NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • NIHR Oxford BRC impact
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Stay in Touch
    • Contact Us
  • Research

        • Research Overview
        • Clinical Research Facility
        • Health Economics
        • Ethics in the NIHR Oxford BRC
        • Medical Statistics
        • Infections in Oxfordshire Database (IORD)
        • 15 Research Themes

        • Cancer
        • Cardiovascular Medicine
        • Digital Health from Hospital to Home
        • Gene and Cell Therapy
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Imaging
        • Inflammation across Tissues
        • Life-saving Vaccines
        • Metabolic Experimental Medicine
        • Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Preventive Neurology
        • Respiratory Medicine
        • Surgical Innovation, Technology and Evaluation
        • Translational Data Science
  • Patient and Public Involvement
    • For patients and the public
    • For researchers
    • More information
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • PARC Programme
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • Events
    • Further Information and Additional Resources
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Musculoskeletal > £1.2m award to improve diagnosis of emergency spinal condition

£1.2m award to improve diagnosis of emergency spinal condition

4 August 2022 · Listed under Musculoskeletal

The National Institute for Health and Care Research has awarded an Advanced Fellowship to Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) emergency medicine doctor David Metcalfe to study the diagnosis of the spinal condition cauda equina syndrome.

Cauda equina syndrome is caused when the nerves at the end of the spinal cord, collectively called the cauda equina, are compressed. These nerves supply the legs, bladder, anus and sexual organs, and can be permanently damaged if compressed for too long.

Most patients with cauda equina syndrome require an emergency operation to take pressure off the nerves. 

Severe back pain can be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, and patients often present to Emergency Departments with pain, but very few actually have the condition. There is, as yet, no particular pattern of symptoms that can rule out the diagnosis without an MRI scan, but with no MRI scanning available at night some patients end up waiting too long before getting a diagnosis.

Dr David Metcalfe

Dr Metcalfe (pictured), a University of Oxford Clinical Lecturer in Emergency Medicine whose work is supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), said: “Cauda equina syndrome is a spinal emergency and this project will help design services to achieve the best possible outcomes for this group of patients.” 

Claire Thornber, Founder of the Cauda Equina Syndrome Association said: “We are reassured by these efforts to address the issues around Cauda Equina Syndrome diagnosis, management and rehabilitation, as so many patients are being lost in a system without pathways.

“The Cauda Equina Syndrome Association are looking forward to helping this project ensure all patients can access the services they need when and where they need them”.

The Cauda Equina Syndrome Early Recognition (CESER) study, which has been awarded £1.23m by the NIHR, has four phases:

  • Analysis of data from previous studies to identify symptoms that predict which patients have the condition.
  • Recruitment of 2,000 patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome, who will be examined by a doctor and then undergo an MRI scan. This will determine which symptoms help identify patients with a final diagnosis of the condition.
  • All NHS hospitals will be asked how they manage patients who might have cauda equina syndrome to identify differences and find examples of best practice.
  • The study will involve a range of stakeholders who will review the evidence and help develop recommendations about the assessment and diagnosis of patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome. 

These studies will help provide high-quality care across the NHS for patients that might have cauda equina syndrome with a view to making healthcare more efficient (and so possibly cheaper) as well as reducing harm to patients. 

← BRC funds study to test anti-TNF drugs on post-operative delirium
New approach to nail bed injury surgery could cut NHS costs →

Other news

News Categories

News by Month

See all news

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at [email protected]

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre