Epidemiology

CES is a rare but serious condition.[4] Estimates of the overall incidence of CES are around 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 population per year.[7][8] One systematic review reported an incidence for CES of 0.3 to 0.5 per 100,000 per year in asymptomatic community populations, 0.6 per 100,000 per year in an asymptomatic adult population, and 7 per 100,000 per year in an asymptomatic working-age population.[9]

An estimated overall prevalence of CES of between 1 in 30,000 to 1 in 100,000 population has been reported. The point prevalence of CES in patients presenting with low back pain has been estimated as 0.04% to 0.08% in primary care, 0.27% in secondary care, and 0.40% in tertiary care.[8][9] One systematic review calculated that, of adults with suspected CES in a neurosurgical or spinal unit, 19% of those imaged were found subsequently to have radiological and clinical CES.[9]

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