Cauda Equina & Cord Compression: Mr Nikolaos Tzerakis, Consultant Neurosurgeon
By Mr Nikolaos Tzerakis, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spinal Surgeon
Posted 09 July 2026
2 Minute Read
Cauda equina syndrome and spinal cord compression are rare, but their consequences can be life-changing.
For solicitors handling clinical negligence claims, missed red flags, delayed imaging, poor documentation and slow escalation can all become central issues in breach, causation and quantum.
About the Speaker
Mr Nikolaos Tzerakis is a Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spinal Surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience and more than a decade of medico-legal practice.
He regularly provides expert opinion on breach of duty, causation and prognosis in complex spinal claims, including cauda equina syndrome and spinal cord compression.
Webinar Key Themes
In this expert-led webinar, Mr Tzerakis explores how cauda equina syndrome and spinal cord compression present in clinical practice, why urgent imaging is so important, and where medico-legal failures commonly arise.
Key medico-legal insights include:
- Cauda equina syndrome may be suspected before the full clinical picture is present.
- A patient can still have cauda equina syndrome even if they are able to pass urine.
- Urgent MRI is central where symptoms suggest cauda equina or spinal cord compression.
- Poor communication, delayed escalation and incomplete documentation can significantly affect defensibility.
- Not every poor outcome is negligence, but the clinical record must tell a clear story.
As Mr Tzerakis explains, the safest approach is to ask early: could this be cauda equina syndrome or spinal cord compression?
For a detailed medico-legal breakdown of the key issues raised in the webinar, including red flags, imaging delays, case examples and takeaways for solicitors:
Tags:
- CES Litigation
- Cauda Equina
- Spinal Injury
Expert Disciplines:
- Neurosurgery
About The Author
Mr Nikolaos Tzerakis
Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spinal Surgeon
Mr Nikolaos Tzerakis is a Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spinal Surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience and more than a decade of medico-legal practice.
He regularly provides expert opinion on breach of duty, causation and prognosis in complex spinal claims, including cauda equina syndrome and spinal cord compression.
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