Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome in children with tethered spinal cord.
OBJECTIVE
The authors identified eight patients with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) and examined how the underlying conditions of this syndrome can impede the detection of symptoms associated with a tethered spinal cord. They also reviewed the literature and did not find any published series describing such an association with this syndrome.


METHODS
In this retrospective review, the authors report the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of tethered spinal cord in eight children (age range 2-14 years) with RTS. The patients presented between 1995 and 2003 with neurogenic bladder, decreased activity, gait disturbance, and low-back pain. The children were examined using whole-spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and, in recent years, their spinal cord movement was assessed using cine MR imaging. After undergoing lumbar laminectomy and spinal cord untethering procedures, six patients experienced improvement in symptoms associated with tethered spinal cord such as pain, urinary tract infection, incontinence, spasticity, and neurogenic bladder.


CONCLUSIONS
Although some underlying conditions of RTS may mask the symptoms of a tethered spinal cord in children, careful attention to the patient's medical history as provided by his or her parents may aid in early diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment, thus preventing further neurological deterioration and leading to improved outcomes.
Tanaka
Tomoko
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio, USA.
Ling
Benjamin C
BC
Rubinstein
Jack H
JH
Crone
Kerry R
KR
D000293:Adolescent; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012415:Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology