Cauda Equina and Conus Medullaris Syndromes Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Segun T Dawodu, MD, JD, MBA, LLM, FAAPMR, FAANEM; Chief Editor: Nicholas Lorenzo, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 24, 2011
 

History

Patients can present with symptoms of isolated cauda equina syndrome, isolated conus medullaris syndrome, or a combination. The symptoms and signs of cauda equina syndrome tend to be mostly lower motor neuron (LMN) in nature, while those of conus medullaris syndrome are a combination of LMN and upper motor neuron (UMN) effects (see Table 1, below). The history of onset, the duration of symptoms, and the presence of other features or symptoms could point to the possible causes.

Table 1. Symptoms and Signs of Conus Medullaris and Cauda Equina Syndromes (Open Table in a new window)

Conus Medullaris Syndrome Cauda Equina Syndrome
PresentationSudden and bilateralGradual and unilateral
ReflexesKnee jerks preserved but ankle jerks affectedBoth ankle and knee jerks affected
Radicular painLess severeMore severe
Low back painMoreLess
Sensory symptoms and signsNumbness tends to be more localized to perianal area; symmetrical and bilateral; sensory dissociation occursNumbness tends to be more localized to saddle area; asymmetrical, may be unilateral; no sensory dissociation; loss of sensation in specific dermatomes in lower extremities with numbness and paresthesia; possible numbness in pubic area, including glans penis or clitoris
Motor strengthTypically symmetric, hyperreflexic distal paresis of lower limbs that is less marked; fasciculations may be presentAsymmetric areflexic paraplegia that is more marked; fasciculations rare; atrophy more common
ImpotenceFrequentLess frequent; erectile dysfunction that includes inability to have erection, inability to maintain erection, lack of sensation in pubic area (including glans penis or clitoris), and inability to ejaculate
Sphincter dysfunctionUrinary retention and atonic anal sphincter cause overflow urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence; tend to present early in course of disease Urinary retention; tends to present late in course of disease

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include the following:

  • Low back pain
  • Unilateral or bilateral sciatica
  • Saddle and perineal hypoesthesia or anesthesia
  • Bowel and bladder disturbances
  • Lower extremity motor weakness and sensory deficits
  • Reduced or absent lower extremity reflexes

Low back pain can be divided into local and radicular pain. Local pain is generally a deep, aching pain resulting from soft-tissue and vertebral body irritation. Radicular pain is generally a sharp, stabbing pain resulting from compression of the dorsal nerve roots. Radicular pain projects in dermatomal distributions. Low back pain in cauda equina syndrome may have some characteristic that suggests something different from the far more common lumbar strain. Patients may report severity or a trigger, such as head turning, that seems unusual.

Severe pain is an early finding in 96% of patients with cauda equina syndrome secondary to spinal neoplasm. Later findings include lower extremity weakness due to involvement of the ventral roots. Patients generally develop hypotonia and hyporeflexia. Sensory loss and sphincter dysfunction are also common.

Urinary manifestations of cauda equina syndrome include the following:

  • Retention
  • Difficulty initiating micturition
  • Decreased urethral sensation
  • Typically, urinary manifestations begin with urinary retention and are later followed by an overflow urinary incontinence.

Bell et al demonstrated that the accuracy of urinary retention, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, altered urinary sensation, and altered perineal sensation as indications of possible disk prolapse justified urgent MRI assessment.[75, 76]

Bowel disturbances may include the following:

  • Incontinence
  • Constipation
  • Loss of anal tone and sensation

The initial presentation of bladder/bowel dysfunction may be of difficulty starting or stopping a stream of urine. It may be followed by frank incontinence, first of urine then of stool. The urinary incontinence is on the basis of overflow. It is usually with associated saddle (perineal) anesthesia (the examiner can inquire if toilet paper feels different when the patient wipes).

Next

Physical Examination

The symptoms of cauda equina syndrome are associated with corresponding signs pointing to an LMN or UMN lesion. Refer to the images and tables below for assistance in examining the patient and documenting examination findings. In addition to the signs listed below, signs of other possible causes should be sought (eg, examination of the peripheral pulses to rule out possible vascular cause or ischemia of the conus medullaris).

Muscle groups, surface anatomy, peripheral sensoryMuscle groups, surface anatomy, peripheral sensory innervation, and dermatomes of the anterior lower limb. This image should be correlated with Tables 1 and 2 in the text. Image courtesy of Nicholas Y. Lorenzo, MD. Muscle groups, surface anatomy, peripheral sensoryMuscle groups, surface anatomy, peripheral sensory innervation, and dermatomes of the posterior lower limb. This image should be correlated with Tables 1 and 2 in the text. Image courtesy of Nicholas Y. Lorenzo, MD.

Pain and deficits associated with nerve root involvement are shown in Table 2, below.

Table 2. Pain and Deficits Associated with Specific Nerve Roots (Open Table in a new window)

Nerve RootPainSensory DeficitMotor DeficitReflex Deficit
L2Anterior medial thighUpper thighSlight quadriceps weakness; hip flexion; thigh adductionSlightly diminished suprapatellar
L3Anterior lateral thighLower thighQuadriceps weakness; knee extension; thigh adductionPatellar or suprapatellar
L4Posterolateral thigh, anterior tibiaMedial legKnee and foot extensionPatellar
L5Dorsum of footDorsum of footDorsiflexion of foot and toesHamstrings
S1-2Lateral footLateral footPlantar flexion of foot and toesAchilles
S3-5PerineumSaddleSphinctersBulbocavernosus; anal

Table 3. Root and Peripheral Nerve Innervation of the Lumbosacral Plexus (Open Table in a new window)

MuscleNerveRoot
IliopsoasFemoralL2, 3, 4
Adductor longusObturatorL2, 3, 4
GracilisObturatorL2, 3, 4
Quadriceps femorisFemoralL2, 3, 4
Anterior tibialDeep peronealL4, 5
Extensor hallucis longusDeep peronealL4, 5
Extensor digitorum longusDeep peronealL4,5
Extensor digitorum brevisDeep peronealL4, 5, S1
Peroneus longusSuperficial peronealL5, S1
Internal hamstringsSciaticL4, 5, S1
External hamstringsSciaticL5, S1
Gluteus mediusSuperior glutealL4, 5, S1
Gluteus maximusInferior glutealL5, S1, 2
Posterior tibialTibialL5, S1
Flexor digitorum longusTibialL5, S1
Abductor hallucis brevisTibial (medial plantar)L5, S1, 2
Abductor digiti quinti pedisTibial (lateral plantar)S1, 2
Gastrocnemius lateralTibialL5, S1, 2
Gastrocnemius medialTibialS1, 2
SoleusTibialS1, 2

Pain often is localized to the low back; local tenderness to palpation or percussion may be present. Pain in the legs (or radiating to the legs) is characteristic of cauda equina syndrome. Radicular pain is a common presentation in patients with cauda equina syndrome, usually in association with radicular sensory loss (saddle anesthesia), asymmetric paraplegia with loss of tendon reflexes, muscle atrophy, and bladder dysfunction. The presentation is somewhat similar to and is often confused with conus and epiconus lesions.

Reflex abnormalities may be present; they typically include loss or diminution of reflexes. Hyperactive reflexes may signal spinal cord involvement and exclude the diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome. Sensory abnormality may be present in the perineal area or lower extremities. Light touch in the perineal area should be tested. Anesthetic areas may show skin breakdown.

Muscle weakness may be present in muscles supplied by affected roots. Muscle wasting may occur in chronic cauda equina syndrome.

Poor anal sphincter tone is characteristic of cauda equina syndrome. Babinski sign or other signs of upper motor neuron involvement suggest a diagnosis other than cauda equina syndrome, possibly spinal cord compression.

In cauda equina syndrome, the peripheral nerve fibers from the sacral segments of the cord, as well as various lumbar dorsal and ventral nerve roots, may also be involved. This results in an asymmetric and higher distribution of motor and sensory symptoms and signs in the lower extremities. Incontinence of bowel and bladder is not severe and develops late for the same reason.

In conus and epiconus lesions, the sacral region neurons (S2-S4) are destroyed. The destruction of these neurons leads to an early and more severe involvement of bowel, urinary bladder, and sexual dysfunction than seen in those with CES. In contrast, for the same reason, the motor and sensory symptoms in the lower extremities are often not very severe and only the distal parts of the limb musculature are involved.

The anatomical proximity of the conus medullaris, the epiconus, and the cauda equina can lead to 2 of these anatomical structures being involved via a single lesion, resulting in an overlap of symptomatology.

The salient features and findings of cauda equina syndrome and conus medullaris syndrome are listed in Table 4, below.

Table 4. Cauda Equina Versus Conus Medullaris Syndrome (Open Table in a new window)

FeaturesCauda Equina SyndromeConus Medullaris
Vertebral levelL2-sacrumL1-L2
Spinal levelInjury to the lumbosacral nerve rootsInjury of the sacral cord segment (conus and epiconus) and roots
Severity of symptoms and signsUsually severeUsually not severe
Symmetry of symptoms and signsUsually asymmetricUsually symmetric
PainProminent, asymmetric, and radicularUsually bilateral and in the perineal area
MotorWeakness to flaccid paralysisNormal motor function to mild or moderate weakness
SensorySaddle anesthesia, may be asymmetricSymmetric saddle distribution, sensory loss of pin prick, and temperature sensations (Tactile sensation is spared.)
ReflexesAreflexic lower extremities; bulbocavernosus reflex is absent in low CE (sacral) lesionsAreflexic lower extremities



(If the epiconus is involved, patellar reflex may be absent, whereas bulbocavernosus reflex may be spared.)



Sphincter and sexual function Usually late and of lesser magnitude;



lower sacral roots involvement can cause bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction



Early and severe bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction that results in a reflexic bowel and bladder with impaired erection in males
EMGMultiple root level involvement; sphincters may also be involvedMostly normal lower extremity with external anal sphincter involvement
OutcomeMay be favorable compared with conus medullaris syndromeThe outcome may be less favorable than in patients with CES

Cauda equina syndrome

In cauda equina syndrome, muscle strength in the lower extremities is diminished. This may be specific to the involved nerve roots as listed below, with the lower lumbar and sacral roots more affected, leading to diminished strength in the glutei muscles, hamstring muscles (ie, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris), and the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.

Sensation is decreased to pinprick and light touch in a dermatomal pattern corresponding to the affected nerve roots. This includes saddle anesthesia (sometimes including the glans penis or clitoris) and decreased sensation in the lower extremities in the distribution of lumbar and sacral nerves. Vibration sense may also be affected. Sensation of the glans penis or clitoris should be examined.

Muscle stretch reflexes may be absent or diminished in the corresponding nerve roots. Babinski reflex is diminished or absent.

Bulbocavernosus reflexes may be absent or diminished. This should always be tested.

Anal sphincter tone is patulous and should always be tested since it can define the completeness of the injury (with bulbocavernosus reflex); it is also useful in monitoring recovery from the injury.

Urinary incontinence could also occur secondary to loss of urinary sphincter tone; this may also present initially as urinary retention secondary to a flaccid bladder.

Muscle tone in the lower extremities is decreased, which is consistent with an LMN lesion.

Conus medullaris syndrome

Patients may exhibit hypertonicity, especially if the lesion is isolated and primarily UMN.

Signs are almost identical to those of the cauda equina syndrome, except that in conus medullaris syndrome signs are more likely to be bilateral; sacral segments occasionally show preserved bulbocavernosus reflexes and normal or increased anal sphincter tone; the muscle stretch reflex may be hyperreflexic, especially if the conus medullaris syndrome (ie, UMN lesion) is isolated; Babinski reflex may affect the extensors; and muscle tone might be increased (ie, spasticity).

Other signs include papilledema (rare, occurs in lower spinal cord tumors), cutaneous abnormalities (eg, cutaneous angioma, pilonidal sinus that may be present in dermoid or epidermoid tumors), distended bladder due to areflexia, and other spinal abnormalities (noted on lower back examination) predisposing the patient to the syndrome.

Muscle strength

Physical examination for cauda equina or conus medullaris syndromes would be incomplete without tests for sensation of the saddle and perineal areas, bulbocavernosus reflex, cremasteric reflex, and anal sphincter tone, findings for all of which are likely to be abnormal.

Muscle strength of the following muscles should be tested to determine the level of lesion:

  • L2 - Hip flexors (iliopsoas)
  • L3 - Knee extensors (quadriceps)
  • L4 - Ankle dorsiflexors (tibialis anterior)
  • L5 - Big toe extensors (extensor hallucis longus)
  • S1 - Ankle plantar flexors (gastrocnemius/soleus)

ASIA impairment scale

In defining impairments associated with a spinal cord lesion, the American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale is used in determining the level and extent of injury.

This scale should also be used in defining the extent of conus medullaris syndrome/cauda equina syndrome. The scale is as follows:

  • A - Complete; no sensory or motor function preserved in sacral segments S4-S5
  • B - Incomplete; sensory, but not motor, function preserved below the neurologic level and extends through sacral segments S4-S5
  • C - Incomplete; motor function preserved below the neurologic level, and the majority of key muscles below the neurologic level have a muscle grade less than 3
  • D - Incomplete; motor function preserved below the neurologic level, and the majority of key muscles below the neurologic level have a muscle grade greater than or equal to 3
  • E - Normal; sensory and motor function normal

The injury should be described using this scale, for example, ASIA class A. Most patients with cauda equina/conus medullaris syndrome are in ASIA class A or B initially and gradually improve to class C, D, or E.

Complications

Complications include the following:

  • Thromboembolic phenomena
  • Neurogenic bladder/bowel
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Heterotopic ossification
  • Osteoporosis
  • Chronic neuropathic pain
  • Spasticity/contractures
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Urethral stricture
  • Bladder calculi
  • Depression
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Segun T Dawodu, MD, JD, MBA, LLM, FAAPMR, FAANEM  Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and Interventional Pain Medicine, Albany Medical College

Segun T Dawodu, MD, JD, MBA, LLM, FAAPMR, FAANEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, and Royal College of Surgeons of England

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kirsten A Bechtel, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital

Kirsten A Bechtel, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael S Beeson, MD, MBA, FACEP  Professor of Emergency Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and Pharmacy; Attending Faculty, Akron General Medical Center

Michael S Beeson, MD, MBA, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors, National Association of EMS Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Scott D Hodges, DO  Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics

Scott D Hodges, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Spinal Injury Association, North American Spine Society, Southern Medical Association, Southern Orthopaedic Association, and Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Medtronic Royalty Consulting; Biomet Spine Royalty Consulting

S Craig Humphreys, MD  Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics

S Craig Humphreys, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Spinal Injury Association, North American Spine Society, Southern Medical Association, Southern Orthopaedic Association, and Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

James F Kellam, MD  Vice-Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Director of Orthopedic Trauma and Education, Carolinas Medical Center

James F Kellam, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Milind J Kothari, DO  Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Milind J Kothari, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and American Neurological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

J Stephen Huff, MD  Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Neurology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine

J Stephen Huff, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary Ann E Keenan, MD  Professor, Vice Chair for Graduate Medical Education, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief of Neuro-Orthopedics Program, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Mary Ann E Keenan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Nicholas Lorenzo, MD  Consulting Staff, Neurology Specialists and Consultants

Nicholas Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Neurology, and American College of Physician Executives

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Jason C Eck, DO, MS,to the development and writing of a source article.

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Muscle groups, surface anatomy, peripheral sensory innervation, and dermatomes of the anterior lower limb. This image should be correlated with Tables 1 and 2 in the text. Image courtesy of Nicholas Y. Lorenzo, MD.
Muscle groups, surface anatomy, peripheral sensory innervation, and dermatomes of the posterior lower limb. This image should be correlated with Tables 1 and 2 in the text. Image courtesy of Nicholas Y. Lorenzo, MD.
Conus/epiconus infarction in the setting of sickle cell crisis. Image courtesy of Matthew J. Baker, MD.
Conus/epiconus infarction in the setting of sickle cell crisis in the same patient shown in the above image. Image courtesy of Matthew J. Baker, MD.
Conus/epiconus infarction in the setting of sickle cell crisis in the same patient shown in the images above. Image courtesy of Matthew J. Baker, MD.
Illustration demonstrating the relevant anatomy of the cauda equina region
Illustration demonstrating an example of cauda equina syndrome secondary to a spinal neoplasm
Sagittal MRI of a patient with cauda equina syndrome secondary to a large lumbar disk herniation
Epidural abscess with effacement of thecal sac in a 56-year-old man.
Table 1. Symptoms and Signs of Conus Medullaris and Cauda Equina Syndromes
Conus Medullaris Syndrome Cauda Equina Syndrome
PresentationSudden and bilateralGradual and unilateral
ReflexesKnee jerks preserved but ankle jerks affectedBoth ankle and knee jerks affected
Radicular painLess severeMore severe
Low back painMoreLess
Sensory symptoms and signsNumbness tends to be more localized to perianal area; symmetrical and bilateral; sensory dissociation occursNumbness tends to be more localized to saddle area; asymmetrical, may be unilateral; no sensory dissociation; loss of sensation in specific dermatomes in lower extremities with numbness and paresthesia; possible numbness in pubic area, including glans penis or clitoris
Motor strengthTypically symmetric, hyperreflexic distal paresis of lower limbs that is less marked; fasciculations may be presentAsymmetric areflexic paraplegia that is more marked; fasciculations rare; atrophy more common
ImpotenceFrequentLess frequent; erectile dysfunction that includes inability to have erection, inability to maintain erection, lack of sensation in pubic area (including glans penis or clitoris), and inability to ejaculate
Sphincter dysfunctionUrinary retention and atonic anal sphincter cause overflow urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence; tend to present early in course of disease Urinary retention; tends to present late in course of disease
Table 2. Pain and Deficits Associated with Specific Nerve Roots
Nerve RootPainSensory DeficitMotor DeficitReflex Deficit
L2Anterior medial thighUpper thighSlight quadriceps weakness; hip flexion; thigh adductionSlightly diminished suprapatellar
L3Anterior lateral thighLower thighQuadriceps weakness; knee extension; thigh adductionPatellar or suprapatellar
L4Posterolateral thigh, anterior tibiaMedial legKnee and foot extensionPatellar
L5Dorsum of footDorsum of footDorsiflexion of foot and toesHamstrings
S1-2Lateral footLateral footPlantar flexion of foot and toesAchilles
S3-5PerineumSaddleSphinctersBulbocavernosus; anal
Table 3. Root and Peripheral Nerve Innervation of the Lumbosacral Plexus
MuscleNerveRoot
IliopsoasFemoralL2, 3, 4
Adductor longusObturatorL2, 3, 4
GracilisObturatorL2, 3, 4
Quadriceps femorisFemoralL2, 3, 4
Anterior tibialDeep peronealL4, 5
Extensor hallucis longusDeep peronealL4, 5
Extensor digitorum longusDeep peronealL4,5
Extensor digitorum brevisDeep peronealL4, 5, S1
Peroneus longusSuperficial peronealL5, S1
Internal hamstringsSciaticL4, 5, S1
External hamstringsSciaticL5, S1
Gluteus mediusSuperior glutealL4, 5, S1
Gluteus maximusInferior glutealL5, S1, 2
Posterior tibialTibialL5, S1
Flexor digitorum longusTibialL5, S1
Abductor hallucis brevisTibial (medial plantar)L5, S1, 2
Abductor digiti quinti pedisTibial (lateral plantar)S1, 2
Gastrocnemius lateralTibialL5, S1, 2
Gastrocnemius medialTibialS1, 2
SoleusTibialS1, 2
Table 4. Cauda Equina Versus Conus Medullaris Syndrome
FeaturesCauda Equina SyndromeConus Medullaris
Vertebral levelL2-sacrumL1-L2
Spinal levelInjury to the lumbosacral nerve rootsInjury of the sacral cord segment (conus and epiconus) and roots
Severity of symptoms and signsUsually severeUsually not severe
Symmetry of symptoms and signsUsually asymmetricUsually symmetric
PainProminent, asymmetric, and radicularUsually bilateral and in the perineal area
MotorWeakness to flaccid paralysisNormal motor function to mild or moderate weakness
SensorySaddle anesthesia, may be asymmetricSymmetric saddle distribution, sensory loss of pin prick, and temperature sensations (Tactile sensation is spared.)
ReflexesAreflexic lower extremities; bulbocavernosus reflex is absent in low CE (sacral) lesionsAreflexic lower extremities



(If the epiconus is involved, patellar reflex may be absent, whereas bulbocavernosus reflex may be spared.)



Sphincter and sexual function Usually late and of lesser magnitude;



lower sacral roots involvement can cause bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction



Early and severe bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction that results in a reflexic bowel and bladder with impaired erection in males
EMGMultiple root level involvement; sphincters may also be involvedMostly normal lower extremity with external anal sphincter involvement
OutcomeMay be favorable compared with conus medullaris syndromeThe outcome may be less favorable than in patients with CES
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