Tethered cord syndrome: a review of the literature from embryology to adult presentation.
Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a clinical condition of various origins that arises from tension on the spinal cord. Radiographic findings may include the conus medullaris in a lower than normal position, fatty infiltration of the filum terminale, lipomyelomeningocele, myelomeningocele, myelocystocele, meningocele, split cord malformations, dermal sinus, anorectal malformations, and intraspinal tumors. The clinical constellation of signs and symptoms associated with TCS may include dermatologic, urological, gastrointestinal, neurological, and orthopedic findings. The current review focuses on TCS by age group of the more common causes of the condition, including myelomeningocele, lipomyelomeningocele, as well as the adult presentation of occult TCS. Pertinent review of the neuroembryology and normal anatomical position of the conus medullaris is included.
Hertzler
Dean A
DA
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 44529, USA.
DePowell
John J
JJ
Stevenson
Charles B
CB
Mangano
Francesco T
FT
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology