 CES is as common as multiple sclerosis and is diagnosed using an MRI scan of the spine, scan positive CES. However, about 50 of people presenting with the symptoms of CES have MRI scans which do not explain their symptoms, scan negative patients. The BLB study will be the first large clinical study comparing patients with scan positive and scan negative CES. All patients admitted to the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh with possible CES will be invited to participate. The study consists of detailed history taking, examination and a questionnaire following up patients symptoms at three months. 