title: An unusual cause of incontinence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Incontinence is the most common urological symptom of tethered cord syndrome and may present as the earliest sign of this condition. The presence of unexplained incontinence with spinal anomalies, low back and leg symptoms, should raise the suspicion of tethered cord syndrome and lead to a lumbar MRI study, even though only subtle neurological abnormalities are found.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This case acts as a timely reminder of the need to be familiar with adult tethered cord syndrome so that an appropriate diagnosis is made promptly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The two groups of tethered cord syndrome, group 1 and group 2, are briefly defined; this paper discusses the presenting history of a patient in the first group.
authors.affiliation: National Unit for Multidisciplinary Studies of Spinal Pain, University of Queensland, Townsville General Hospital, Queensland.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology*