title: Tethered cord syndrome secondary to the unusual constellation of a split cord malformation, lumbar myelomeningocele, and coexisting neurenteric cyst.
abstract: We describe a seminal case report of a child with a tethered cord syndrome secondary to the unusual constellation of a split cord malformation, lumbar myelomeningocele, and coexisting neurenteric cyst. A 17-year-old adolescent girl with a several-month history of myelopathy and urinary incontinence was examined whose spinal MRI scan demonstrated a type II split cord malformation with a large bone spur and an intradural neurenteric cyst in addition to lumbar myelomeningocele. Untethering of the spinal cord was achieved via a lumbar laminectomy. Pathological examination confirmed the intradural cyst to be a neurenteric cyst. Postoperatively there was stabilization of the neurological symptoms. Prophylactic surgery with total resection of the neurenteric cyst when feasible and spinal cord un-tethering appears to be associated with excellent outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgeon, AIC Kijabe Hospital, P.O. Box 20, Kijabe 00220, Kenya.
authors.forename: Humphrey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okechi
authors.forename: A Leland
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.forename: Ancent
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nzioka