Tethered spinal cord following repair of myelomeningocele.

Hudgins RJ, Gilreath CL. Tethered spinal cord following repair of myelomeningocele. Neurosurgical Focus. 2004 Feb 15;16(2):E7.

OBJECT: The goal of this paper is to elucidate the clinical presentation of tethered cord syndrome (TCS) following repair of a myelomeningocele.

METHODS: Approximately 10 to 30% of children will develop TCS following repair of a myelomeningocele. Because essentially all children with repaired myelomeningocele will have a tethered spinal cord, as demonstrated on MR imaging, the diagnosis of TCS is made based on clinical criteria. The six common clinical presentations of TCS are increased weakness (55%), worsening gait (54%), scoliosis (51%), pain (32%), orthopedic deformity (11%), and urological dysfunction (6%). The primary goal of surgery is to detach the spinal cord where it is adherent to the thecal sac, relieving the stretch on the terminal portion of the cord.

CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and surgical release of the tethered cord results in stabilization or improvement in most cases. Because TCS may present with orthopedic and/or urological signs or symptoms, children with myelomeningocele should by followed, ideally in a multidisciplinary clinic, by neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and urologists who are aware of this condition.

PMID: 15209490