CAUDA-EQUINA SYNDROME, DISKOSPONDYLITIS, AND A PARAVERTEBRAL ABSCESS CAUSED BY RHODOCOCCUS-EQUI IN A FOAL

Cauda equina syndrome is a complex of neurologic signs that are the re sult of lesions involving the cauda equina or nerves that arise from t he cauda equina, or from lesions of the sacrococcygeal vertebrae or as sociated soft tissues. Initial clinical signs of vertebral osteomyelit is are frequently limited to fever, lethargy, and evidence of pain in the affected areas of the vertebral column. Radiography is important f or making a diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis; however, radiographi c lesions may not be evident for 2 to 8 weeks after onset of clinical signs. Successful treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis depends on a ti mely diagnosis, isolation of the causative organism, appropriate antim icrobial treatment, and, in some cases, surgical decompression of the spinal cord and curettage of infected bone.