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Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) refers to a group of neurological disorders that relate to malformations of the spinal cord. [1] Various forms include tight filum terminale , lipomeningomyelocele , split cord malformations ( diastematomyelia ), occult, dermal sinus tracts , and dermoids .
It is frequently co-morbid with atlanto-axial joint instability, Chiari malformation, [3] or tethered spinal cord syndrome. The condition can be brought on by physical trauma , including whiplash , laxity of the ligaments surrounding the joint, or other damage to the surrounding connective tissue.
An elevated MSAFP measured at 16–18 weeks gestation is a good predictor of open neural tube defects, however the test has a very high false positive rate, (2% of all women tested in Ontario, Canada between 1993 and 2000 tested positive without having an open neural tube defect, although 5% is the commonly quoted result worldwide) and only a ...
In adults, surgery to free (detether) the spinal cord can reduce the size and further development of cysts in the cord and may restore some function or alleviate other symptoms. Tethered Cord Syndrome is causally linked to Chiari Malformation and any affirmative diagnosis of TCS must be followed by screening for Chiari's several degrees.
The spinal cord lesion or the scarring due to surgery may result in a tethered spinal cord. In some individuals, this causes significant traction and stress on the spinal cord and can lead to a worsening of associated paralysis, scoliosis , back pain, and worsening bowel and/or bladder function.
Myelography is a type of radiographic examination that uses a contrast medium (e.g. iodised oil [1]) to detect pathology of the spinal cord, including the location of a spinal cord injury, cysts, and tumors. Historically the procedure involved the injection of a radiocontrast agent into the cervical or lumbar spine, followed by several X-ray ...
Of course, if you're feeling sick, it’s a good idea to test yourself so you can know the full picture of what you’re dealing with, says Thomas Russo, MD, a professor and chief of infectious ...
Other conditions sometimes causally associated with Chiari malformation include hydrocephalus, [49] syringomyelia, spinal curvature, tethered spinal cord syndrome, and connective tissue disorders [42] such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome [50] and Marfan syndrome. Chiari malformation is the most frequently used term for this set of conditions.